Published Date: 2007-03-26 13:00:02
Subject: PRO/EDR> Tuberculosis, XDR - South Africa (07): Eastern Cape
Archive Number: 20070326.1044

TUBERCULOSIS, XDR - SOUTH AFRICA (07): EASTERN CAPE
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A ProMED-mail post
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Mon 26 Mar 2007
From: ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
Source: Bua News, South Africa, Government Communication and
Information System report [edited]
<http://www.buanews.gov.za/view.php?ID=07032611451001&coll=buanew07>

The World Health Organization (WHO) is expected to send an expert to
South Africa this week, amid the finding of 10 more cases of
extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR TB) in the Eastern Cape,
Acting Health Minister, Jeff Radebe, said Sat 24 Mar 2007. This
brings to 54 the number of XDR TB cases reported in the province
since November 2006.
Mr Radebe was in the province to mark International TB Day. He said
the WHO expert would arrive in the country this week and would offer
technical assistance in the management of XDR TB. "The assistance
will include advice on training and management of XDR TB cases,
infection control, improvement of surveillance systems, and
laboratory services," minister Radebe said.
Sizwe Kupelo, spokesperson for the provincial health department, said
the department had established a TB crisis plan that would focus on
the Nelson Mandela, Amathole, and OR Tambo District Municipalities.
He said the 3 district municipalities had been targeted because of
the high number of ordinary TB cases reported. "The department is now
looking at a 50 percent TB cure rate in the targeted areas," said Kupelo.
Furthermore, he said, the department would embark on a massive
awareness and advocacy campaign on XDR TB and multidrug-resistant TB
(MDR TB) in the province. "The department has also hired 1422
unemployed youths who will monitor patients to ensure they take their
medication regularly. This will help ensure that the patients [do]
not develop the XDR TB.
Isolation wards for the 10 XDR TB patients have been set up in the
Mthatha and East London Hospitals.
[Byline: Lucky Khumalo]
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ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[The number of cases of XDR TB continues to grow, especially in South
Africa. It is not stated in the posting whether the affected
individuals were infected with HIV as well. - Mod.LL]
[See map at: <http://www.anc.org.za/images/maps/samap.gif>. - Mod.JW]

See Also

Tuberculosis, XDR, 1993-2006 - USA 20070322.1005
Tuberculosis, XDR - South Africa (06) 20070319.0959
Tuberculosis, XDR, 1991-2003 - Spain 20070302.0738
Tuberculosis, XDR - South Africa (05) 20070228.0717
Tuberculosis, XDR - South Africa (04) 20070220.0638
Tuberculosis, XDR - South Africa (03) 20070209.0504
Tuberculosis, XDR - worldwide 20070205.0456
Tuberculosis, XDR - South Africa (02) 20070128.0375
Tuberculosis, XDR - South Africa: interventions 20070126.0349
Tuberculosis, extensively drug-resistant - Canada (ON) (02) 20070125.0340
Tuberculosis, extensively drug-resistant - Canada (ON) 20070124.0318
2006
----
Tuberculosis, multiresistant - Hungary 20061110.3233
Tuberculosis, multiresistant - South Africa (KN) (04): nationwide 20061019.3003
Tuberculosis, multi-drug resistant - South Africa (KN) 20060904.2514
.............................................ll/mj/jw

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