Although many people in this country think of tuberculosis (TB) as a disease of a bygone era and no longer a threat to modern day society they couldn't be more wrong, the experts say.

According to Stop TB Partnership, an arm of the World Health Organization (WHO), each year nine million people across the globe get sick with TB and three million of those infected don't get the health care they need.

This organization, in collaboration with the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the National TB Controllers Association and Stop TB USA are among the sponsors of "World TB Day," an annual event that takes place each year on March 24. The event commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced the discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacillus that causes TB.

"We believe that no one should be left behind in the fight against TB," a representative for the Stop TB Partnership said. "This World TB Day, we call for a global effort to find, treat and cure [TB] and accelerate progress towards zero TB deaths, infections, suffering and stigma."

For World TB Day 2014 the CDC selected the theme "Find TB. Treat TB. Working together to eliminate TB," in a bid to highlight the fact that TB is still a life-threatening problem in the United States.

"This year's World TB Day theme encourages local and state TB programs to reach out to their communities to raise awareness about TB," the CDC said in a statement. "We don't have to fight TB alone ... everyone has a role in ensuring that one day TB will be eliminated."

According to the CDC, 15 states across the country are hosting official events in tribute to the fight against TB. Among the states participating in this year's World TB Day activities are: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Kentucky, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Included in the events that are scheduled to take place in the U.S. (many of which will be made available to a wider online audience as well) in the weeks leading up to and on March 24 are: webinars, distribution of educational materials, informational forums, film showings, a World TB Day walk and rally in New York City to raise awareness, conferences, video conferences, symposiums, exhibits, a full-day summit that will include presentations, case studies, discussions and more.

For additional and/or specific information on each state's World TB Day functions you can click here to visit the CDC's official page that lists the the schedule, including time, place, contact information and more for "World TB Day Activities 2014."

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