It's World Tuberculosis Day today (Wednesday), and the DHSS is marking the occasion by leading a new campaign to raise awareness of the disease, and methods of prevention and control.

Cases in the United Kingdom have been slowly increasing in the past couple of years, while on the Isle of Man the number of people affected varies between six and ten per annum.

Director of public health Dr Parameswaran Kishore says the day is important, pointing out tuberculosis still occurs in epidemic proportions in much of the world.

He says while technology has progressed, early diagnosis and treatment are the keys to preventing the spread of the disease.

Dr Kishore says people shouldn't panic, but patients and doctors need to be aware of the possibility of TB so it can be diagnosed without delay.