Drug-resistant TB cases booming in South Africa

The WHO estimates that one-quarter of the world’s population has TB and is the leading cause of death in South Africa, where the emergence of drug-resistant strains make treatment even more difficult.

On Wednesday, the UN General Assembly will be shining a spotlight on the spread of tuberculosis, especially in poorer areas.

South Africa has the second-highest rate of TB infection in Africa.

While there has been a seven percent decrease in the number of infections, cases of a drug-resistant strain are on the rise.

And there is concern healthcare workers are putting themselves at risk by treating patients.

Al Jazeera’s Fahmida Miller reports from Cape Town.