Another Case of XDR TB Exposure
Female Exposes 44 Passengers to Rare Form of TB
On December 13, 2007, a 30-year old woman flew from New Delhi to Chicago on American Airlines Flight 293. From Chicago she flew on to San Francisco. The woman is a native of Nepal who now lives in Sunnyvale, CA.
Wasn't She Told Not to Travel?
The woman was actually diagnosed with the rare form of tuberculosis in August, 2007, when she was visiting India. Reports are not clear whether she was just returning from India in December or not. Officials are perplexed as to how and why she was able to get onto the international flight knowing she was so ill. There is question whether or not she was ever cautioned not to fly.
In Isolation at Stanford University Hospital
She was apparently home in Sunnyvale for several days before she sought medical treatment on December 19 at Stanford University Hospital where she remains in isolation. Officials said the woman was quite ill and coughing up blood when she was admitted to the hospital. She is stated to be in stable condition in isolation at this time. Approximately ten patients in the waiting room of the hospital emergency room will also be tested for this multi-drug resistant strain of TB known as XDR TB.
Last May, another highly publicized case of an airline passenger with TB made headlines.
According to public health officials with Santa Clara County, CA the woman was apparently experiencing symptoms of cough and fever on the plane.
CDC Looking for Passengers
The incubation period is eight to ten weeks so it will be awhile before it is known if anyone else was infected by this woman. Santa Clara County public health authorities immediately notified the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and other government agencies. The CDC contacted American Airlines who began to search for the passengers felt to be most prone to exposure. These are the 44 people seated in the same row and two rows in front of and behind the female passenger whose name has not been released. Close contact in an environment that is not well ventilated such as an aircraft dramatically increases the risk of exposure to the airborne germs for these passengers.
Anyone who was a passenger on this flight should consult with their primary care practitioner. These 44 passengers are being contacted and encouraged to be examined as soon as possible and a follow up exam in 10 weeks to determine if they have contracted the XDR TB. If they have become infected, hospitalization for a minimum of two weeks and treatment for a period ranging from nine month to two years. This treatment consists of a regimen of four to five drugs. In some cases, surgical intervention is necessary.
TB is Rare in U.S.
Last year there were 13,767 total documented cases of TB in the U.S. XDR TB is extremely rare, but in Africa this strain is at an all time high. Worldwide it is estimated that 1.6 million cases of TB are documented each year.
For more information see the CDC website.
Airborne germs
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