Andorra Reports Zero Active TB Cases in 2025 After Ruling Out Sole Suspicion

Andorra reported zero active tuberculosis cases in 2025 after ruling out the only suspicion, while detecting seven latent infections, health authorities confirmed in data released Tuesday for World Tuberculosis Day on March 24.

The latent cases involved five women and two men aged 55 to 82, with an average age of 64. All were asymptomatic and non-contagious. Five were identified in internal medicine services and two in pulmonology. Officials linked three to immunosuppressant treatments, three to biologic therapies for dermatological conditions, and one to biologic treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Under the Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Programme (PPCTA), patients receive monitoring including tests, specialist consultations, X-rays, and preventive protocols, with extra focus on those at elevated risk.

This outcome continues a downward trend in incidence. The 2021-2025 rate stands at 2.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, the second-lowest on record behind 2018-2022's 2.5. Prior periods recorded 3.5 for 2019-2023 and 3.2 for 2020-2024. Early 2000s rates ranged from 9.9 (2000-2004) to 6 (2007-2011), followed by a peak and then steady decline. The past three years saw four active cases confirmed, with two each in 2021 and 2022.

From 1997 to 2025, authorities handled 227 suspicions, confirming 197 (88.3%)—170 autochthonous among residents and 27 imported among non-residents. Between 2000 and 2024, cases clustered most in the 35-54 age group (58: 38 men, 20 women), then 15-34 (33: 18 men, 15 women), 55-74 (27: 17 men, 10 women), over 74 (13: 10 men, 3 women), and under 14 (2: 1 man, 1 woman). Among 154 new autochthonous cases, eight involved prior tuberculosis treatment.

These figures rank Andorra among Europe's lowest-incidence nations, aligning with WHO targets for middle- and high-income countries of under 100 cases per 100,000. The PPCTA provides universal access to diagnostics, treatment, contact tracing, and latent infection management to prevent resurgence. Tuberculosis remains a notifiable disease, triggering swift protocols on suspicion to limit transmission.