cases have increased.

But he said there was no need for residents to be alarmed.

Dr. John Cann was speaking after news of an apparent comeback by TB, once thought to have been virtually eliminated from the Island.

He said that in 1989 there were only two confirmed cases of the disease reported, and none in 1990.

But in 1991 there were three confirmed cases, rising to four in 1992. Already this year there have been two confirmed cases reported.

The cases this year and in 1992 were evenly split between elderly people and patients with the AIDS virus.

TB can re-appear in elderly people who were exposed to the disease earlier in life. This, along with imported cases, has accounted for most recent TB reports.

Now, people with the AIDS virus are another source of cases.

Dr. Cann said: "We've had some years when we have had a blip of three or four cases when the year before we've had one or none.'' In percentage terms these blips looked big, he said.

"But it's not really relevant as long as we don't have TB endemic in Bermuda and as long as we're on top of the cases we identify.'' "There are increases,'' he said. "But there really is no reason for anybody to be alarmed.'' However, the presence of AIDS meant doctors should be on the alert.

"Physicians should also be on the lookout because of the movement of people and the large increase of people coming into this country -- they may come from countries where TB is endemic.

"We've been in a more fortunate situation than some of the more developed countries simply because of our small size and our ability to manage the problem.

"That will still stand us in good stead in the years to come.

"There's no reason for the average citizen to be alarmed. There aren't people running around who are infected, and with modern treatment TB can be controlled and contained.'' Nor had Bermuda seen a drug-resistant type of the disease, Dr. Cann added.