Why is TB – specifically XDR TB – such a public health threat?
MDR and XDR TB are extremely difficult to treat, and therefore a person with active MDR or XDR TB disease may easily transmit it to others. Standard therapy is ineffective for these types of TB. Second-line treatments may also be ineffective and if they are effective tend to work more slowly; as a result, the patient is likely to be infectious for a longer period of time. In addition, the consequences of transmission are much greater for the contacts of an infected person and for public health. There are effective preventive treatments for persons infected with regular TB. There are no documented effective preventive treatments for patients infected with MDR or XDR TB. If infected contacts to regular TB and develop active TB, the treatment for regular TB is very effective. The treatment for MDR and XDR TB is much less effective, much longer, much more toxic, and much more expensive. 2. Were public health officials aware that Speaker was leaving the country? It is CDC’s understanding th
