Akwa Ibom — Akwa Ibom State's Tuberculosis and Leprosy Officer, Dr Valerie Obot, has said more than 5, 026 cases of tuberculosis were recorded in the state between 2006 and last year.

Obot told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo, that about 2,301 cases were recorded in 2006, while about 2,725 cases were recorded last year, which he described as unacceptably high.

Obot said the cheering news was that tuberculosis was curable and that treatment was free. She, however, pointed out that one untreated case of TB would infect 15 other persons inone year.

She said 78 per cent of those infected in 2004 were completely cured and that in 2005, the percentage of those cured went up to 88 per cent, adding that in the first quarter of this year, the state recorded about 23.4 per cent increase in number of patients with dual infection of HIV and TB.

According to Obot, collaborative activities are on between the state government and development partners, to stem the rise of TB and HIV infections.She thanked the state government and other donor agencies for their efforts in stemming the increase in TB and HIV.