Multiple Drug
Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) on the Rise
[Posted 03/13/2008]
The
World Health Organization (WHO) has released its
fourth global report, Anti-Tuberculosis Drug
Resistance in the World. Based on gathered and
extrapolated data, the WHO indicated MDR-TB and XDR-TB
(Extensively Drug Resistant TB) are a serious
concern in many countries. Travelers to countries
where the risk is highest need to be aware of the
danger and take precautions.
The
WHO estimates that almost 500,000 MDR-TB cases
emerged in 2006. In the countries of the former
Soviet Union, every fifth case of TB will have MDR-TB.
China and India are estimated to have 50% of the
global cases, and in China, a high proportion of
new cases are drug-resistant. There has been
improvement in the commitment to TB control, but
more efforts are needed to have an impact on the
growing epidemic.
Related Links:
WHO Report
(PDF
2.11MB)
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