The Union has been leading the way in knowledge and research sharing around COVID-19 and lung health, including a powerful webinar series, publishing guidance, briefings, journal articles, and a set of frequently asked questions.
FAQs on COVID-19 and lung health
The Union has published a set of frequently asked questions regarding COVID-19 and lung health, focusing on its impact on TB services and the people undergoing TB treatment, and guidance to maintain quality care throughout this period, as well as recommendations and guidance for healthcare workers treating smokers with COVID-19.
Webinar series: COVID-19 and lung health
The COVID-19 pandemic is perhaps the greatest healthcare challenge of a generation. The Union, in collaboration with its global community of members, is pleased to launch an open-access webinar series on COVID-19 and its intersection with tuberculosis (TB), tobacco control, lung disease and more.
See our other webinars here
Preserving TB and TB-HIV services in the face of an unprecedented pandemic in Africa
subtitle: Wednesday 1 July, 12:00 - 13:00 CEST
This Union member-led webinar builds on this IJTLD article, describing the TB and COVID-19 situation in Zimbabwe, and discussing safeguarding the provision of TB and collaborative TB-HIV services in Africa. Recent international guidance on TB-HIV care during COVID-19 will also be reviewed.
Fumar en tiempos de COVID-19
subtitle: Mié., 24 de Jun. de 2020 16:00 - 17:45 CEST
Spanish language webinar
Los facilitadores serán el Dr. Gustavo Zabert y el Lic. Gustavo Sóñora.
Los expositores serán la Dra. Laura Llambí, el Dr. Rogelio Pérez Padilla y el Dr. Carlos Jiménez Ruiz. Con comentario especial del Dr Eduardo Bianco.
TB preventive therapy: recent advances and future prospects
subtitle: Tuesday 23 June, 16:00 - 17:00 CEST
TB remains the number one global infectious-disease killer and prevention remains key to its elimination. While prevention of any infectious disease makes intuitive public health sense, TB prevention has been a relatively neglected area in TB control efforts until recently.
COVID-19 and TB: Personal perspectives
subtitle: Thursday 18 June, 14:00 - 15:00 CEST
Kate O’Brien and Ezio Tavora Dos Santos Filho, both TB survivors, will chair the discussion. The panellists will be: Claire Forlani, film and television actor and Union Ambassador. Dr Purna C. Kashyap, a COVID-19 survivor, based in the USA. Ms Athira Elssa Johnson, who is currently receiving treatment for TB, and living in Kerala, India. Dr Thato Mosidi, XDR TB survivor, who lives in South Africa.
Monitoring the COVID-19 Pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa: paying attention to health facility admissions and deaths
subtitle: Wednesday 10 June, 14:00-15:00 CEST
Speakers: Former Union President Jeremiah Chakaya, Leo Martinez, Anthony D Harries.
Desafíos para enfrentar la interferencia de la Industria Tabacalera en tiempos del COVID-19
subtitle: jueves 28 de mayo, 10:00-11:00 CDT
Spanish language webinar:
Moderadores: Gustavo Sóñora y Cristiane Vianna
Participación especial: Dra Vera Luiza da Costa e Silva
Expositores: Silvana Rubano Turci, Jorge Vega Cárdenas, Rodrigo Bolaños
COVID official guidance
Read official guidance from The Union and our partner organisations on the latest guidance on COVID-19.
IJTLD fast-tracked articles
In order to share scientific research of immediate concern as rapidly as possible, The Union is fast-tracking accepted articles from the International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IJTLD) regarding COVID-19 and publishing them in full on our website, prior to their publication in the Journal.
See a complete list of all of our fast-tracked articles here.
The 100th anniversary of bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and the latest vaccines against COVID-19
On 18th July 2021, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first use of the BCG vaccine for TB. An Editorial in IJTLD discusses BCG’s efficacy, heterologous protection and controversial link with COVID-19. The preprint is free to read.
Asymptomatic COVID-19 – implications for the control of transmission in South Africa
The authors conducted a retrospective analysis to determine the proportion of asymptomatic COVID-19 in the workplace during lockdown in early 2020. Nearly 45% of cases were asymptomatic, which has implications for interventions, such as enforcing quarantine of all close contacts of COVID-19 cases regardless of symptoms.
The impact of COVID-19 on TB: a review of the data
In this recently accepted Review for IJTLD, the authors summarise the evidence available at a country level, identifying broad mechanisms by which COVID-19 may modify TB burden and mitigation efforts.
The latest Union news about COVID-19
Air conditioners, airborne infection prevention and air pollution in buildings in New Delhi
COVID-19 and poor air quality is leading to increased use of mechanical ventilation, but the authors of this article question how effective these systems are in important buildings in India. The preprint is free to read.
Evaluation of screening international travellers for COVID-19
The authors have monitored post-arrival screening for COVID-19 to evaluate its effectiveness. The preprint is free to read.
Down syndrome and COVID-19, a combination with a poor prognosis
The authors of this Letter assess the impact of COVID-19 on a series of patients with Down syndrome. The preprint is free to read.
Real-time data to inform decision-making about maintaining health services in Kenya during the COVID-19 pandemic
The quarterly (3-monthly) recording and reporting systems were strengthened in 18 selected health facilities in Nairobi, the capital…
Partner sponsored content
The Union presents a series of special webinar sessions, organised and paid for by our partners to showcase new science and new areas of work. All paid for sessions are reviewed for compliance with The Union’s mission and vision.
Past webinar
The twin epidemics of TB and COVID-19: challenges and controversies
Watch a recording of this webinar
This webinar is paid for and created by Oxford Immunotec.