Perhaps we can remember back to last spring when an Atlanta lawyer with active multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) took several trans-Atlantic flights. I can’t even imagine how much the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wound up paying for this one, single case of MDR-TB. Now with 1 in 20 cases worldwide resistant to two or more drugs (Herald, Feb. 27, “Fast spread of drug-resistant tuberculosis alarms experts”), the time has come for a global effort to combat this disease. TB elimination will only be possible with global leaders, politicians and medical professionals who are committed to advocating for sustainable and permanent funding.
Instrumental to this effort will be persons directly affected by TB, of whom the vast majority live in poverty. Many experience job loss, side effects to medications and are often shunned by family and community. Persons affected by TB must continue to demand that their voices are heard and that effective action is taken by those who have the resources to make a difference. If you have not been affected by TB yet and don’t want to become infected, write to your member of Congress and let them know that we must improve our nation’s effort for TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Teresa Rugg
Snohomish
> Give us your news tips. > Send us a letter to the editor. > More Herald contact information.Talk to us
