In this Rapid Communication, the World Health Organization (WHO) is announcing a number of updates to its forthcoming 2nd edition of the guidance on tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT). This will help national tuberculosis (TB) programmes, public and private healthcare providers, funders and other stakeholders to prepare for the changes that will be introduced when the updated guidelines and accompanying operational handbook on TPT are released later this year. Effective TPT in people at highest risk of progression safely reduces the likelihood of developing TB disease. This includes individuals exposed to multidrug- or rifampicin-resistant TB (MDR/RR-TB). The updated guidance will avail of the latest evidence and best available practices on TPT regimens for individuals of all ages in contact with TB patients and dosing schedules. It will also incorporate current recommendations on screening strategies to rule out TB disease ahead of starting TPT, and the use of tests of TB infection.

This rapid communication outlines the main outcomes of a WHO- convened Guideline Development Group (GDG) meeting, held in May-June 2021 on the topic of the management of TB in children and adolescents. The rapid communication aims to inform staff from ministries of health, technical partners and other stakeholders about the key findings, considerations and changes related to the diagnosis, treatment and care of TB for children and adolescents, in order to allow for planning at the country level ahead of the release of updated guidelines and an associated operational handbook. WHO will publish the guidelines and operational handbook by the end of 2021.

Infectious diseases are the leading cause of death globally, particularly among children and young adults. The spread of new pathogens and the threat of antimicrobial resistance pose particular challenges in combating these diseases. Major Infectious Diseases identifies feasible, cost-effective packages of interventions and strategies across delivery platforms to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis, malaria, adult febrile illness, viral hepatitis, and neglected tropical diseases. The volume emphasizes the need to effectively address emerging antimicrobial resistance, strengthen health systems, and increase access to care. The attainable goals are to reduce incidence, develop innovative approaches, and optimize existing tools in resource-constrained settings.

The WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis. Module 2: screening – systematic screening for tuberculosis disease is an updated and consolidated summary of WHO recommendations on systematic screening for tuberculosis (TB) disease, containing 17 recommendations for populations in which TB screening should be conducted and tools to be used for TB screening. TB screening is strongly recommendations for household and close contacts of individuals with TB, people living with HIV, miners exposed to silica dust, and prisoners. In addition, screening is conditionally recommended for people with risk factors for TB attending health care, and for communities with risk factors for TB and limited access to care (e.g. homeless, urban poor, refugees, migrants). General population screening is recommended in high-burden settings (0.5% prevalence or higher). Symptoms, chest radiography (CXR), and molecular WHO-recommended rapid diagnostic tests for TB are recommended as screening tools for all adults eligible for screening. Computer-aided detection programmes are recommended as alternatives to human interpretation of CXR in settings where trained personnel are scarce. For people living with HIV, C-reactive protein is also a good screening tool. This guideline document is accompanied by an operational handbook, the WHO operational handbook on tuberculosis. Module 2: screening – systematic screening for tuberculosis disease, that presents principles of screening, steps in planning and implementing a screening programme, and algorithm options for screening different populations.

With the rapid development of economy and international communication, world population mobility increase significantly. As migrating population is one of vulnerable populations to infectious diseases, strengthening monitoring system and intervention approaches will be a key factor in controlling the spread of infectious diseases. This book is intended to provide valuable information on creating effective prevention and intervention strategies of tuberculosis, taking Shenzhen, one of typical immigrant cities, as an example. Followed by overview of tuberculosis, the control strategy, diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis, drug resistant tuberculosis, and HIV-associated tuberculosis in migrating population is introduced. In addition, application of innovative technologies, for example, internet, molecular biology, and artificial intelligence in tuberculosis control is presented. It will be a useful reference for practitioners in centers for infectious disease control and prevention, hospitals, academic institutions, as well as staff in government agencies and non-government organizations with interests in tuberculosis prevention and control.

The WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis: tuberculosis preventive treatment provides a comprehensive set of recommendations for programmatic management of tuberculosis preventive treatment (PMTPT) geared towards the implementers of the WHO End TB Strategy and also for countries intent upon TB elimination (9). The guidelines are to be used primarily in national TB and HIV and maternal and child programmes or their equivalents in ministries of health and for other policy-makers working on TB, HIV, infectious diseases and maternal and child health. They are also appropriate for staff of ministries of justice, correctional services and other government agencies which deliver healthcare, including prison services, social services and immigration. The guidelines are also intended for clinicians in the public or the private sectors working on TB, HIV, infectious diseases, prevention, child health and noncommunicable diseases such as chronic kidney disease and cancer. The persons directly affected by the guidelines are risk groups for whom TB preventive treatment is recommended.