According to Dr Eva Lewis-Fuller, director of health promotion and protection in the Ministry of Health and Environment, a grant from the Global Fund will assist Jamaica in improving its TB surveillance and overall response to the disease.

TB is a bacterial infection caused by a germ called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but they can also damage other parts of the body. TB spreads through the air when a person with TB of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes or talks.

Lewis-Fuller said strengthening Jamaica's surveillance system could break the chain of transmission of TB.