Facts & figures
Tuberculosis
- No. 1 leading infectious disease killer
- 1.3 million deaths per year, globally
- 10 million people infected each year, globally
News_
Leadership for good: united to end TB
24 March 2026
TB remains the leading infectious diseases killer on the planet
At the 爆料王, world-leading researchers are united to protect communities here in Australia, and across our region against TB
, held on 24 March, raises public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic impact of TB, an ancient but curable diseases that continues to claim a life every 20 seconds.
At the 爆料王, we lead with science, partnership and purpose. 鈥淓nding TB is possible but it will only happen if we advance innovative science and work in deep partnership with the communities most affected", said听Professor Mark Scott, Vice鈥慍hancellor and President of the 爆料王.听
Our partnerships, our science and our people are showing what leadership for good looks like: translating discovery into impact across Australia and our region.
Professor Mark Scott, Vice鈥慍hancellor and President, 爆料王
爆料王 researchers: united to end TB
Our partnerships
Together with听Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute (Sydney ID),听Sydney South East Asia Centre (SSEAC)听and the听Sydney Vietnam Institute (SVI), the University brings a collaborative, world鈥憀eading approach that spans discovery science, clinical trials, health systems, and community鈥憀ed implementation. We host the听听and a听WHO Collaborating Centre in Tuberculosis, and we deliver an expansive regional research program across Vietnam, Cambodia and the Pacific.听
Our science
and our people behind the science
Tackling TB transmission in Australia and across the region
Eliminating TB in Australia starts with understanding how it spreads and using the latest genomic insights to identify and stop transmission.
A deep understanding of local TB transmission dynamics, using the latest genomic insights, is essential to guide TB control efforts in Australia.听 听
NSW became the first jurisdiction in the world to implement routine whole genome sequencing in 2016, led by 听 听Our researchers and (Head of the NSW TB control program) have been at the forefront of this implementation research.
consideration of TB elimination progress and challenges in NSW identified the rapid termination of local transmission as the best strategy to keep people safe.听 This was followed by a detailed spatio-temporal analysis听of local TB transmission in NSW to guide better targeted public health responses, published in
Active case finding means meeting people where they are. In Cambodia we are testing the most innovative strategies to diagnose TB to prevent its spread within the communities.
The Strengthening Health Systems through Integrated Risk Factor Intervention and Tuberculosis Case-Finding (SHIFT-TB) initiatives in Cambodia, led by our researchers and ,听aims to detect TB in people who are unable to produce sputum for testing, or are unaware that they are ill.
听our researchers discuss the important elements of an effective active TB case-finding strategy, including effective social mobilisation and community engagement, using sensitive screening tools that can be used at scale, and embracing population-wide screening in high-incidence (鈥榟ot spot鈥�) areas.听
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On remote Pacific islands we test and treat communities to break the transmission cycle and keep children safe
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Kiribati is a remote Pacific Island Country in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The capital South Tarawa is one of the most densely populated areas in the Pacific, with exceptionally high rates of tuberculosis and leprosy.
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To reduce this excessive disease burden,听听(led by ) 听works closely with the Kiribati Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) and the Pacific Leprosy Foundation (PLF) to 鈥榯est & treat鈥� the whole population of听South Tarawa听for both diseases.
In a recent听lth听paper our researchers and ais听reframes tuberculosis through a complex systems lens highlighting the array of decision makers who, by action or inaction, have a shared responsibility to end tuberculosis as a global pandemic.
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From the lab to new vaccines and treatments
TB bacteria are airborne and settle in the lungs when inhaled. Understanding how the lung gets damaged is important to guide vaccine development and treatment.
With their recent NHMRC Ideas Grant success 鈥淯nravelling stromal-immune cell crosstalk in chronically inflamed lymph nodes鈥�, our researchers and will uncover how tuberculosis听reprograms cellular organisation within lymphoid organs, providing insights that may inform the development of new immune-boosting therapies.
In our researchers听reveal that Mtb can use a metabolite to manipulate host responses and promote its intracellular survival.
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A better TB vaccine that provides strong, durable protection can听 change everything. We are working with industry and government partners to advance next鈥慻eneration vaccines using the latest technological innovations.
Supported by a recent NSW RNA Pipeline grant, Dr Claudio Counoupas, Associate Professor Megan Steain and Professor Jamie Triccas are advancing next鈥慻eneration multiplex mRNA vaccines. Their work focuses on delivering multiple pathogen antigens within a single lipid nanoparticle, offering the potential for broader immune coverage against complex infectious diseases.
In Microbiology Australia our researchers Hannah Lukeman and Professor Jamie Triccas explore the potential of lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-encapsulated mRNA vaccines to generate protective immune responses against TB. Looking at recent advances in the field, including promising preclinical studies, the team highlight key knowledge gaps that must be addressed before mRNA vaccines can be considered a viable option for TB control.
Our researchers are designing molecules that kill TB using novel mechanisms.听听Then we translate those discoveries into safe, effective treatments.
Rising drug-resistance makes the search for new treatments increasingly urgent. Our researchers have discovered how a promising novel class of antibiotics kills TB, paving the way for urgently needed new treatments. Learn more.
In a study published in听, the team investigated how three naturally occurring antibiotic compounds 鈥� ecumicin, ilamycin and cyclomarin 鈥� act on a vital protein degradation machine inside听Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes TB.
Large clinical trials seek safer and shorter and more effective treatments to prevent and cure TB.听The University鈥檚 trials team in Vietnam partners with global research networks to drive breakthroughs in ending TB.
鈥檚 collaborative approach to research benefits both individuals and communities.听
, alongside developing safer, shorter, and more effective prevention and treatment. To support the National Tuberculosis Program of Vietnam our researchers ,听听and are conducting high-quality research, translating evidence into practice, and building local research capacity and global impact.
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Community, policy and impact
We work alongside TB鈥慳ffected communities, ensuring their voices shape the solutions they want and need.
Our researchers,听 and , support community engagement in TB prevention, treatment and care.听The team works听to uncover and challenge听the structural factors that perpetuate inequity, TB vulnerability听and exclusion from听TB听services. By valuing community expertise through initiatives such as Community Advisory Boards, lived鈥慹xperience research and iterative community-led adjustment of intervention delivery, they are reshaping how knowledge is generated to support more effective and equitable health outcomes.
We synthesise evidence that informs national and global policies, turning research into real鈥憌orld impact across the region.
Our researchers, and , that inform WHO drug-resistant TB treatment guidelines. Working with colleagues and they documented the long term outcomes of people treated for rifampicin鈥憆esistant and multidrug鈥憆esistant tuberculosis (RR/MDR鈥慣B) in Vietnam, published in
Media
Hear from our world鈥憀eading researchers as they discuss their work and its global impact