What is WHO doing to combat XDR-TB?
First, WHO is ensuring that the health authorities responsible for TB control receive accurate information about XDR-TB. Second, WHO is emphasizing that good TB control prevents the emergence of drug resistance in the first place, and that the proper treatment of MDR-TB prevents the emergence of XDR-TB. This is completely in line with the new Stop TB Strategy launched in March 2006. Third, WHO is disseminating MDR-TB guidelines for national TB control programme managers published in May 2006 to help countries establish effective programmes to combat drug-resistant TB. Fourth, the WHO Stop TB and HIV departments are coordinating an international response through a WHO Global Task Force on XDR-TB which met for the first time in October 2006.
