Comprehensive Approach To TB Elimination Would Prepare U.S. For Potential Outbreak Of Untreatable Disease Strain And Impact Global Effort

Main Category: Tuberculosis
Also Included In: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 27 Mar 2007 - 8:00 PDT

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Tuberculosis (TB) continues to pose a threat to public health, despite popular misconceptions that TB is a disease of the past. The facts, however, are that nearly two billion people - one-third of the world's population - are infected with latent TB. Drug-resistant strains of TB are spreading globally, including extensively drug-resistant (XDR-TB), which raises concerns of a future epidemic of virtually untreatable TB. The strain has been identified in the U.S., which is why it is imperative we prepare for an outbreak.

As world health leaders mark World Tuberculosis Day March 24, the American Lung Association urges Congress to continue our efforts in global leadership in eradicating TB. The standard method of diagnosing TB is over 100 years old and fails to adequately detect TB in children and those co-infected with HIV/AIDS. The newest class of anti-TB drugs is over 40 years old, while the rate of multi-drug resistance is rising. Clearly, new tools are needed to more effectively prevent, diagnose, and treat TB - once the scourge of our nation.

The U.S. should strive for the elimination of TB in the U.S., and the next step in reaching this goal is enactment of the Comprehensive TB Elimination Act, H.R.1532 introduced by Representatives Gene Green (D-TX), Heather Wilson (R-NM) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) .The bill will provide increased funding for the CDC's National Program for the Elimination of Tuberculosis. It will expand research on TB diagnostic and treatment tools at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and CDC, and authorize the "Blueprint Plan for TB Vaccine Development" at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

About the American Lung Association

Beginning our second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. Lung disease death rates continue to increase while other major causes of death have declined. The American Lung Association fights lung disease and promotes lung health through advocacy, research and education. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is "Improving life, one breath at a time." For more information about the American Lung Association or to support the work we do, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or log on to http://www.lungusa.org.

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