TB This Week (14-20 July)

- TB This Week provides a weekly snapshot of major TB news from around the world -

Issue 70

Top five news this week:

1. US senate approves USD 48 billion to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria

2. Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis lowers the death-risk for HIV-TB co-infected people

3. Diabetes increases TB risk

4. TB rising in people living close to pharmaceutical factory in Pakistan

5. High rates of TB, HIV and other infections in mine-workers: ARASA Report

News in brief:

1. US senate approves USD 48 billion to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria

US senate has approved USD 48 billion to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria globally in coming five years. USD 2 billion is allocated to fighting AIDS, TB and Malaria in 'Indian' communities living within the borders of United States. However due to budget crisis in US, the health funding is being cut - few TB clinics are facing impending closure as a result of the budget cuts (read that news here)

2. Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis lowers the death-risk for HIV-TB co-infected people

AIDS Care Watch (ACW) Campaign had strongly advocated for use of life-extending cotrimoxazole prophylaxis for people living with HIV in the lead up to XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto. Also during IAC 2006, the World Health Organization (WHO) had issued guidelines according to which: 'Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis should be widely used by people with progressing HIV disease and by all HIV-infected or exposed infants (until it is clear that they are uninfected)'.

3. Diabetes increases TB risk

People with diabetes mellitus are at increased risk of developing active tuberculosis (TB), according to an analysis published in PLoS Medicine. A three-fold increased risk suggests that diabetes may already be responsible for more than 10% of TB cases in India and China.

4. TB rising in people living close to pharmaceutical factory in Pakistan

People residing a pharmaceutical factory in Pakistan have reported a rise in TB infections. Environment and health experts are concerned on the recent upping of TB infections. Factors like access to safe water or pollution does up the risk to TB, earlier studies have also reported.

5. High rates of TB, HIV and other infections in mine-workers: ARASA Report

AIDS & Rights Alliance for Southern Africa (ARASA) has released a report on rising TB in mining migrant workers of South Africa (July 2008). The mining community has long been associated with an exceptionally high prevalence of various lung diseases. TB rates, in particular, are very high partly as a result of the high prevalence of silicosis resulting from prolonged exposure to silica dust in mine shafts – especially on gold mines. High rates of HIV transmission and confined, humid, poorly ventilated working and living conditions further increase the risk of TB among mine workers. The South African government estimates that the TB incidence rates on gold mines are probably the highest in the world.

What's happening:

Leading Management teams for TB control programmes (course), Thailand

Faith in Action now! - Three days Ecumenical pre-conference, Mexico: 31 July - 2 August 2008

XVII International AIDS Conference, Mexico: 3-8 August 2008