Pax exposed to XDR-TB sought by CDC

[ORAC]

Air passengers possibly exposed to rare form of TB are sought

ATLANTA (CNN) -- Federal health authorities announced Tuesday they are looking for people who may have been exposed aboard a plane to someone infected with an extensively drug-resistant form of tuberculosis known as XDR-TB.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the case involves a U.S. citizen who traveled on two international flights. XDR-TB was recently defined as a subtype of multiple-drug resistant tuberculosis. It can be fatal.

As with all TB, the disease can be spread through the air. "In this case, the infected patient traveled on two trans-Atlantic air flights and, in doing so, may have exposed passengers and crew to XDR-TB," the agency said.

"A federal quarantine order has been issued and CDC is currently collaborating with U.S., state and local health departments, international ministries of health, the airline industry, and WHO (World Health Organization)."

[jetexhaust]

CDC issues quarantine order, seeks passengers in drug-resistant TB scare

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is searching for people who may have been exposed to an airline passenger with a virulent form of tuberculosis.
Dr. Julie Gerberding, head of the CDC, says the person traveled on Air France flight 385 (Atlanta to Paris) on May 12 and Czech Air flight 0104 (Prague to Montreal) on May 24. He entered the United States by car, according to Gerberding.
"We have no suspicion that this patient was highly infectious, in fact the medical evidence would suggest that his potential for transmission would be on the low side, but we know it isn't zero," Gerberding says.
She says a federal quarantine order has been issued and the man is receiving medical treatment. The crew and passengers who sat within two rows of the man should be tested as a precaution, she says.

Gerberding says the man was aware of his diagnosis at the time of the flights, but may not have known that he had a drug-resistant form the disease that is very difficult to treat.
Here's the WHO page devoted to XDR-TB (http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/notes/2006/np23/en/index.html). Here's the list (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/executiveorder040403.htm)of communicable diseases that are covered by the federal regulations and an overview (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/executiveorder040403.htm)of the USA's quarantine laws.

[ORAC]

BBC: US in TB flight infection warning

US health officials have quarantined a man who may have exposed passengers on board two trans-Atlantic flights to a dangerous form of tuberculosis. Officials say crew and passengers on the same flights, from Atlanta to Paris and from Prague to Montreal this month, should be checked for the infection..........

It is the first such quarantine order to be issued in more than 44 years. The last such order was issued in 1963, to quarantine a patient with smallpox........

The infected man travelled from Atlanta to Paris on 12 May on Air France Flight 385. He returned to the US from Prague to Montreal on Czech Air Flight 0104 on 24 May. He continued his journey in the US by car and is now under quarantine in hospital, according to the WHO.

CDC officials said the man was potentially infectious during this period and are recommending that crew members and passengers on board the same flights seek medical attention.

"We want to make sure that we have done everything we possibly can to identify people who could be at risk," said Dr Julie Gerberding, director of the CDC.

[ORAC]

CNN: ......."Since May 25, the patient has been hospitalized in respiratory isolation and is undergoing additional medical evaluation," the CDC said.

The patient, who has few symptoms, has radiographic evidence of pulmonary TB and tests positive for XDR-TB, the agency said.

"On the basis of the patient's clinical and laboratory status, and lack of receiving adequate treatment for XDR-TB, this patient was considered potentially infectious at the time of his airline travel, and meets the criteria in the WHO guidelines for initiating an airline contact investigation," it said.

CDC is recommending crew and passengers seated in the same row or two rows ahead or behind of the patient aboard either flight be evaluated for TB infection. "This includes initial evaluation and testing with follow-up eight to 10 weeks later for re-evaluation," the CDC said.

But it acknowledged that they are not sure just who is at risk, and recommended anyone aboard the flights be tested. "As there has never been an airline contact investigation for XDR-TB, it is not known if the current recommendations are adequate to determine the possible range and risk of transmission of infection. Because of the serious consequences of XDR-TB and anticipated public concern, in addition to the contacts listed above, all U.S. residents and citizens on these flights should be notified and encouraged to seek TB testing and evaluation."...........

[MarkD]

Apparently he was told not to fly but instead booked by YUL and came in overland. :mad:

There seems to be some dispute over what happened after he left PRG for YUL.
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=3ef80062-20d0-4b60-9d9e-02abbbae606e