Tuberculosis in the 1980s, with particular reference to South Africa.

Tuberculosis is a major health problem in South Africa. More than 40 000 new cases are notified annually and there is good evidence that this represents only a proportion of all patients with active disease. Despite the fact that approximately R35 million is spent on tuberculosis control in South Africa each year. In the 1970s our death rate from this disease probably approximated that which pertained in the UK in the 1940s just before antituberculosis drugs came into general use. Current concepts in tuberculosis and its control are reviewed and the suggestion made that a specialized task force be set up to improve control measures in South Africa.