Asia on Red Alert for Tuberculosis...

It has been reported that Asia is on a high alert for high incidence of Tuberculosis infection that has emerged because of evolution of multi-drug resistant species of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.Tb) against anti-tubercular drugs. To prevent the occurance of any type of tubercular casualty in near future as a result of successful evolution of multi-drug resistant M.Tb species, the WHO has urged Asian countries to take necessary and earliest actions possible against the disease.

According to WHO reports, many asian nations do not have required and appreciable lab facilities and instrumentation to detect and fight against the mycobacterium before it successfully mutates into drug resistant bacteria. Moreover, only 1 percent of the estimated 150,000 people infected with the disease in East Asia and the Pacific have been estimated who are receiving appropriate treatment.

The cause of concern of WHO is the present epidemiological status of the disease; the rapidity with which it's spreading. This causal stuff is something that is worrying the health body. Besides this, the existing unhygienic conditions, droplet infection etc. are among few that are the causes of concern.

WHO also reported that one out of every 10 new tuberculosis cases is multidrug-resistant in China. Multidrug-resistant TB accounts for just 5 percent of 9 million new tuberculosis cases worldwide. It was also reported that drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.Tb) had already had its attack in 2005, killing about 52 people in South Africa.

Reference Link-

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080721/ap_on_he_me/asia_tuberculosis