Multidrug-Resistant TB Deaths In Chuuk Spark Guam Concern
(Pacific Daily News)
The deaths of TB patients in the Federated States of Micronesia state of Chuuk have sparked action by Guam health authorities to raise awareness about the “regional concern,” Pacific Daily News reports.
Four of five people afflicted with a multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Chuuk state have died over the last several months, Guam public health authorities confirmed yesterday.
Though Guam doesn't currently have a single confirmed case of the multidrug-resistant TB, Guam public health officials, joined by Lt. Gov Mike Cruz, held a press conference yesterday afternoon to raise awareness about the outbreak.
While the Guam officials pointed out that multidrug-resistant TB is a global problem, and not isolated to Chuuk, they acknowledged the number of deaths in Chuuk in such a short time are a matter of concern for Guam.
"It is a regional concern," said J. Peter Roberto, acting Public Health director.
Public Health received confirmation of the deaths hours before the press conference.
The results of tests performed in Honolulu are pending for 10 to 12 other suspected cases of multidrug-resistant TB in Chuuk, but their outcome won't be known for weeks.
The FSM consulate on Guam, when called for comment yesterday, stated it didn't have any information available.
One of the patients who died was a 2-year-old and another was 16, Guam public health officials said.
Cecilia T. Arciaga, a Guam Public Health coordinator with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, said multidrug-resistant TB is treatable if diagnosed early and treated properly. Guam last had a case of multidrug-resistant TB in 2001 that resulted in the successful treatment of the patient, Arciaga said.
Dr. Robert Haddock, Guam Public Health epidemiologist, said the number of cases in Chuuk can be considered an outbreak because even one case of such a serious disease can qualify as an outbreak. There's no ban on travel from Chuuk to Guam, but a system is in place to alert Guam authorities if someone on a flight from Chuuk shows symptoms, such as constant coughing, Roberto said.
http://www.guampdn.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080801/NEWS01/808010321/1002
