TB is on the rise in Kirklees according to latest figures.

Statistics released by the Health Protection Agency show cases rose from 103 to 125 in the last 12 months.

Dr Judith Hooper, director of public Health for NHS Kirklees described the provisional figure as disappointing.

She said: “Although we can cure people of TB, it’s important that no-one gets complacent about this nasty disease.

“It can be a killer and a full course of TB treatment usually takes at least six months to complete.

“That’s a long time and the course must be fully completed to stop TB becoming drug resistant.”

The symptoms to look out for include fever, night sweats, a persistent cough, weight loss, tiredness, blood in the phlegm or spit or a lack of appetite.

Nationally, TB is the leading cause of death from curable infectious diseases. It usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body.

Dr Hooper added: “It’s the pulmonary form of TB that’s infectious and it spreads from person to person when someone coughs or sneezes.

“However, only people who have close and prolonged contact with someone with active lung TB are usually at risk of being infected. “