EPIDEMIOLOGICAL TRENDS OF TUBERCULOSIS IN ALBANIA IN 2024: A NATIONAL OVERVIEW

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a public health concern in Albania, despite its low-incidence classification. In 2024, 232 TB cases were reported, with stable trends compared to 2022 and 2023. This overview aims to highlight the demographic, clinical, and geographic characteristics of TB in Albania. Methodology: Data were collected from the national TB surveillance system and included variables such as case classification (new or retreatment), age, sex, location (urban/rural), clinical form (pulmonary/extrapulmonary), and HIV co-infection status. Descriptive analysis was used to identify trends and changes compared to previous years. Results: Of 232 cases, 209 (90%) were new and 23 (10%) retreatments. Pulmonary TB accounted for 86.6% of cases. The highest burden was among individuals over 65 years (25%), while cases in the 15–24 age group increased by 2.9%. Urban residents made up 61.2% of cases. Males represented 67.7%, maintaining a 2:1 male-to-female ratio. High-risk groups, including migrants and drug users, made up 15% of cases. HIV testing covered 90% of patients, identifying 5 TB/HIV co-infections. Conclusion: Albania maintains low TB incidence and high treatment success (89%), but demographic shifts and vulnerable groups require focused interventions. Continued investment in diagnostics, surveillance, and prevention is essential to sustain current progress