XDR-TB Detected in All South African Provinces, Health Department Says
Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis, TB that is resistant to first- and second-line drugs, has been detected in all of South Africa's provinces, the country's Department of Health said on Monday, the SAPA/Independent Online reports. According to health department spokesperson Sibani Mngadi, 269 cases of XDR-TB have been recorded nationwide (SAPA/Independent Online, 2/12). Lindiwe Mvusi, the department's TB program manager, said 184 people have died from the disease, and 80 people are on treatment. Mvusi added that the department this weeks plans to update the figures. Southern African Development Community health ministers have called a meeting to draft a strategy that could include a subregional approach to tackle the disease, Mngadi said (Xinhua News Agency, 2/12). In addition, the World Health Organization plans to send a team of scientists to help control the spread of XDR-TB in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, where there has been an increase in the number of cases, the Daily News reports. Peggy Nkoyeni, the provincial health minister, said that WHO's intervention will help the province and that it will "go a long way in implementing the programs that the department was creating to curb" the spread of the disease. Sandile Buthelezi, general manager for strategic health programs in the province, said that KwaZulu-Natal next month plans to meet with a team of health specialists (Mthembu, Daily News, 2/12). Second-Line Drug To Treat XDR-TB Causing Side Effects in South African Province A second-line drug to treat XDR-TB is causing toxic side effects among people living with the disease in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province, SABC News reports (SABC News, 2/10). XDR-TB is defined as TB that is resistant to isoniazid and rifampin -- the two first-line TB drugs -- as well as at least two of the six primary classes of second-line drugs, one being a fluoroquinolone and the other an injectable drug. The second-line TB drugs are aminoglycosides, polypeptides, fluoroquinolones, thioamides, cycloserine and para-aminosalicyclic acid (GlobalHealthReporting.org, 12/21/06). According to a doctor at the King George Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, some patients are exhibiting such side effects as vomiting, diarrhea and weakness. The province has spent about $4 million on combating the disease, according to SABC News (SABC News, 2/10).
Mozambique Works To Prevent Spread of XDR-TB
In related news, authorities in Mozambique are taking measures to prevent the spread of XDR-TB in the country, Health Minister Ivo Garrido said on Thursday, the AIM/AllAfrica.com reports. According to Garrido, Mozambique has participated in several meetings on the issue and is drafting strategies to control the spread of the disease because of the heavy cross-border travel between South Africa and Mozambique. Garrido also said two senior officials with Mozambique's national TB program are participating in a workshop in South Africa to address XDR-TB (AIM/AllAfrica.com, 2/9).
