According to the World Health Organization (WHO), TB occurs in every part of the world. In 2017, the largest number of new TB cases occurred in South-East Asia and the Western Pacific (62% of new cases), followed by regions in Africa (25% of new cases). Persons at higher risk for exposure to and infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis include:
- Frequent travelers to areas of the world where tuberculosis is endemic
- Residents and employees of high-risk congregate settings such as correctional facilities, long-term care facilities, and homeless shelters
- Health care workers who serve high-risk patients or have unprotected exposure
- Medically underserved and low-income populations
- Infants, children, and adolescents exposed to adults in high-risk categories
