TB risk for South African health workers

There is a risk that healthcare workers in South Africa could be at risk of being infected with TB, research has shown.

A new study from the University of Cape Town in South Africa revealed that XDR-TB, which is a drug-resistant strain of the disease, could be spread by healthcare workers if action is not taken.

The report, which was presented at the 105th American Thoracic Society International Conference, noted that diagnostic testing and implementing measures to control TB should be priorities.

Keertan Dheda, associate professor of medicine at the University of Cape Town, said: "The emergence and progression of XDR-TB is threatening to destabilize global tuberculosis control.

"The negative impact of XDR-TB is further exacerbated by a global shortage of healthcare workers, a shortage which has reached crisis levels in most of sub-Saharan Africa."

All major primary and secondary treatment methods for TB are not currently effective against XDR-TB.

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