Study: Drug-Resistant TB Still Rare In U.S.
(Washington, DC) -- While the hardest-to-treat form of tuberculosis is an increasing threat in other parts of the world, it's rare here in the U.S. Government researchers say 83 cases of extensively drug-resistant TB were reported in the country from 1993 through 2007. That's in comparison to 40-thousand cases of drug-resistant TB reported worldwide for just 2006. However, lead researcher Dr. Peter Cegielski says that's not necessarily good news. He says, quote, "As long as there is (drug-resistant) TB anywhere in the world, there is a risk in the United States." He adds, "TB doesn't respect international borders -- the TB germs don't carry passports." |