CDC Issues Isolation Order For Man With Extremely Drug Resistant TB
By: RNS
Updated: May 30, 2007
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is taking the unusual step of isolating an Atlanta man who has a form of tuberculosis that is extremely drug resistant.
Additionally, the CDC is recommending TB testing for passengers who were on two recent transatlantic flights that the patient was on earlier this month.
CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding says flights the infected man was on were: Air France flight number 385 that left Atlanta for Paris on May 12th.
And Czech Airlines flight 0104 that left Prague for Montreal on May 24th.
Because the flights were long with people cramped into close quarters, the risk of transmitting the bacteria was somewhat elevated.
Gerberding says the potential for transmission is low, but not zero.
Dr. Gerberding says the infected man is not being identified to protect his privacy.
The strain of TB he has is very difficult to treat.
The CDC, she says, wants to do everything possible to identify people who could be at risk.
The man will remain in isolation at Atlanta's Grady Hospital until doctors determine he can no longer pass the infection on.
The CDC did not become aware that the man had the extremely drug resistant form of TB until after he returned from overseas.
Additionally, the CDC is recommending TB testing for passengers who were on two recent transatlantic flights that the patient was on earlier this month.
CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding says flights the infected man was on were: Air France flight number 385 that left Atlanta for Paris on May 12th.
And Czech Airlines flight 0104 that left Prague for Montreal on May 24th.
Because the flights were long with people cramped into close quarters, the risk of transmitting the bacteria was somewhat elevated.
Gerberding says the potential for transmission is low, but not zero.
Dr. Gerberding says the infected man is not being identified to protect his privacy.
The strain of TB he has is very difficult to treat.
The CDC, she says, wants to do everything possible to identify people who could be at risk.
The man will remain in isolation at Atlanta's Grady Hospital until doctors determine he can no longer pass the infection on.
The CDC did not become aware that the man had the extremely drug resistant form of TB until after he returned from overseas.
