An extremely deadly strain of Tuberculosis has appeared in South Africa, killing 52 of 53 people diagnosed with it so far. It is called XDR-TB (Extreme Drug Resistant Tuberculosis). Officials say it started in rural areas of the Kwazulu-Natal region of the country among miners, and has probably found its way into urban areas.
Pinpointing exactly how widespread this TB strain is will be a difficult task – tests are very expensive and require specialized equipment and personnel.
Dr. Tony Moll, who first identified the new strain, said “In some of the mines, they have identified (XDR-TB) and, because our population is so mobile, if you looked in other provinces, no doubt you will find the new strain.” He went on to say that the appearance of XDR-TB is highly troubling and alarming because of its high death rate.
This could become a serious public health problem for South Africa, which has the highest number of patients with AIDS in the world. People infected with HIV are particularly susceptible as their immune systems are already weakened.
South African public health care officials will meet today with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). They urgently need to find ways of diagnosing suspected cases swiftly, as well as finding and providing drugs that can fight this highly-resistant strain.
Public health officials in South Africa insist there is no outbreak.
WHO says it is concerned about this new drug-resistant TB strain. It said the strain is virtually untreatable and is calling for measures to be strengthened and implemented to prevent the global spread of deadly TB strains.
Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today