TBM has a mortality rate of 20%–50%, and neuro-disability occurs in up to 50% of survivors(1). One of the biggest challenges in diagnosing TBM is that its clinical symptoms are quite similar to other brain infections.
Despite its dangers, TBM can be prevented with the BCG vaccine (Bacille Calmette-Guérin). However, many parents have admitted that their children either haven’t been vaccinated at all or don’t have up-to-date vaccinations.
With the mission of addressing global health issues, Collab Lab, an initiative led by OUCRU’s Public and Community Engagement group, has chosen to animate a publication about TBM, aims to raise awareness about tuberculosis in general, TBM, and the importance of BCG vaccination for children.
According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2020 report, Vietnam ranks 11th among 30 countries with the highest number of tuberculosis cases and 1st in terms of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis burden globally(2). Annually, Vietnam records over 172,000 tuberculosis cases and 10,400 deaths due to the disease. In Ho Chi Minh City alone, the first six months of 2022 saw more than 8,434 tuberculosis cases, an increase of over 33% compared to the same period in 2021(3).
Read the full story on the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) website.