There has been a drop in the number of people suffering from tuberculosis in Edmonton.

In 2013, the area had a rate five times higher than the national average with 64 sufferers per 100,000.

That figure has now dropped to 57 people per 100,000 but calls have been made for further action as the rates are still 50 per cent higher than the TB average in London.

Edmonton MP Andy Love, who has supported the campaign to reduce TB rates, said: “It’s great to hear that there has been a notable fall in the rates of tuberculosis in Edmonton. It’s clear that our efforts to push the identification and treatment of TB up the agenda have paid off.

"But having rates that are still 50 percent higher than the London average and nearly five times the national average indicate that there is still so much more that we can be doing.

“My visit to the Find and Treat outreach service made me very aware of just what a fantastic job it does of reaching people – like the homeless and those who would not ordinarily seek help – but it is incredibly stretched and can’t possibly reach everyone.

"I hope to be able to take part in more awareness-raising events in the coming year and look forward to seeing the local rates decline further still.”