As part of Tuberculosis Prevention Week, residents of Riga will be able to check their lung health on a mobile X-ray and receive free consultations from specialists. This can be done on March 27 in Riga, from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM at 1B Charlotte Street.
There Are Twice as Many Tuberculosis Patients in Latvia as in the EU
The Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC, SPKC) emphasizes that tuberculosis remains a significant public health issue, and early diagnosis is crucial for both successful treatment and limiting the spread of the disease.
Last year, Latvia recorded 287 cases of tuberculosis, or 15.4 cases per 100,000 residents, which is six cases more than in 2024, when 281 cases of tuberculosis were registered, or 15 cases per 100,000 residents, according to CDC data.
In Latvia, the tuberculosis incidence rate is nearly twice as high as in the countries of the European Union and the European Economic Area, where the average incidence in 2024 was 8.4 cases per 100,000 residents.
Who Is at Risk
The CDC notes that tuberculosis is affecting younger people. The most affected are individuals aged 30-59 years of working age, but in 2025, there has also been an increase in incidence in the age group of 18 to 29 years — from 7.6 cases per 100,000 residents in 2024 to 18.2 cases per 100,000 residents last year.
The incidence among men is three times higher than among women, and about 70% of tuberculosis patients are men.
People with weakened immune systems, diabetes, as well as those who smoke or consume alcohol, are at greater risk of contracting the disease.
Tuberculosis Treatment - Free
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs but can also impact other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, spine, and brain. The disease spreads through coughing, sneezing, or talking by a person with pulmonary tuberculosis, and in some cases, a person can spread the bacteria without showing significant symptoms.
The most characteristic symptoms of tuberculosis include a cough with or without sputum lasting three weeks or more, fever, weight loss, night sweats, prolonged fatigue, malaise, and loss of appetite.
The SPKC invites individuals who have these symptoms or suspect possible illness to consult specialists. In Latvia, tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment are provided free of charge, and a referral to a specialist is not required.
