TB cases on the rise in Alabama after decade long steady decline - ABC 33/40 - Birmingham News, Weather, Sports

Tuberculosis cases in the state are on the rise, after a decade of a fairly steady decline.  Last year, the state had 161 TB cases.  That's a 10% increase from 2010.  There's no clear cause for the increase, but health officials say they are watching the numbers closely.  TB is caused by a bacterium called mycobacterium tuberculosis, which attacks the lungs.