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2011-04-16 [CNA]
Japanese media reported that Saga Prefecture announced yesterday a cluster infection of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), with 10 people infected, including patients and medical staff. This marks Japan's first recorded outbreak of XDR-TB.
Saga Prefecture stated that in May last year, a medical worker in his 30s at a clinic in central Saga Prefecture showed symptoms of tuberculosis. Subsequent tests revealed he was carrying XDR-TB, a strain highly resistant to drugs and extremely difficult to treat.
Additionally, from March onwards, clinic staff and their family members began exhibiting tuberculosis symptoms, with five more staff members later testing positive for XDR-TB.
An investigation into the clinic where the cluster infection occurred revealed that five years ago and three years ago, respectively, one patient and one medical worker had tested positive for tuberculosis bacteria.
Saga Prefecture noted that 460 people had been in contact with those showing symptoms, and they have undergone X-ray examinations. Apart from those confirmed to carry the bacteria, no others have exhibited symptoms, and those who did have since cleared the bacteria from their systems. The prefecture concluded there is no risk of further spread.
Matsumoto Tomonari, head of the Clinical Research Department at the Osaka Respiratory and Allergy Medical Center, commented that this cluster infection involved a higher proportion of medical staff. If general hospitals fail to implement adequate measures, patient infections could expand.
He emphasized that tuberculosis spreads through the air, and patients with cough symptoms should wear masks to thoroughly prevent hospital-acquired infections. 1000416
Source: http:/ / news. chinatimes. com/ w……0406015/ 132011041600623. html
Intractable: Outbreak of Drug-Resistant TB in Japan
Japanese media reported that Saga Prefecture announced yesterday a cluster infection of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), with 10 people infected, including patients and medical staff. This marks Japan's first recorded outbreak of XDR-TB.
Saga Prefecture stated that in May last year, a medical worker in his 30s at a clinic in central Saga Prefecture showed symptoms of tuberculosis. Subsequent tests revealed he was carrying XDR-TB, a strain highly resistant to drugs and extremely difficult to treat.
Additionally, from March onwards, clinic staff and their family members began exhibiting tuberculosis symptoms, with five more staff members later testing positive for XDR-TB.
An investigation into the clinic where the cluster infection occurred revealed that five years ago and three years ago, respectively, one patient and one medical worker had tested positive for tuberculosis bacteria.
Saga Prefecture noted that 460 people had been in contact with those showing symptoms, and they have undergone X-ray examinations. Apart from those confirmed to carry the bacteria, no others have exhibited symptoms, and those who did have since cleared the bacteria from their systems. The prefecture concluded there is no risk of further spread.
Matsumoto Tomonari, head of the Clinical Research Department at the Osaka Respiratory and Allergy Medical Center, commented that this cluster infection involved a higher proportion of medical staff. If general hospitals fail to implement adequate measures, patient infections could expand.
He emphasized that tuberculosis spreads through the air, and patients with cough symptoms should wear masks to thoroughly prevent hospital-acquired infections. 1000416
Source: http:/ / news. chinatimes. com/ w……0406015/ 132011041600623. html