steps to prevent catching the illness abroad.

The warning comes from Rhonda Daniels, the Department of Health's nurse epidemiologist, as the TB threat was highlighted yesterday by World TB Day.

Last year Bermuda recorded three TB cases, but with numbers increasing worldwide due to AIDS, health officials fear the illness could pose as a great a threat as it did 60 years ago.

World TB Day is designed to create public awareness that TB remains an out-of-control epidemic in some parts of the world -- mainly developing countries and some industrialised western countries.

"While Bermuda is considered to be a low prevalent country for TB, there is still cause for concern that numbers may increase,'' said Ms Daniels.

She said there were a number of factors which could affect Bermuda, including: The presence of AIDS, which has been associated with the spread of TB; The close proximity of Canada and the US where TB numbers are rising due to AIDS, homelessness and alcohol and drug abuse; Immigration of people from countries with high TB numbers; and Travelling by Bermuda residents to affected countries.

Ms Daniels said the Health Department could only control and prevent the disease through prompt diagnosis, reporting, public education and proper and consistent treatment.

"If Bermuda is to remain a low prevalent country people have to become educated about this disease, know which countries have a high prevalence before they travel and take steps to prevent TB disease,'' said Ms Daniels.