November 9 2006 - The official report from the first WHO Global Task Force on XDR-TB has been published, outlining measures needed to urgently combat extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB). It follows last week's announcement by WHO and its partners that US$ 95 million will be required to implement the recommendations in the report, to address the threat of XDR-TB in 2007 in southern Africa.
The report was issued as the World Health Assembly confirmed Dr Margaret Chan as the WHO's new Director-General. In her first speech as Director-General elect, she underlined WHO's global mandate and universal relevance, including its responsibilities in raising awareness on a "deadly new strain of TB" and her determination to "build greater momentum to control malaria, TB and neglected infectious diseases".