Tuberculosis is known to be one of the oldest diseases that occur in humans. it has been diagnosed in mummified remains and also written about in Chinese texts dating back to 2700 BC. In the UK in the middle of 19th Century, 13% of deaths from all causes were attributed to tuberculosis. Owing to, among other things, improvements in living conditions, immunization program, pasteurization of milk and the introduction of antibiotics there was belief in the 1980s that tuberculosis had been almost eradicated. However, tuberculosis has been steadily increasing since then despite it being a treatable disease.