New measures to strengthen the global response to extensively drug resistant TB (XDR-TB) - a virtually untreatable form of tuberculosis - have been put forward by experts attending the second WHO XDR-TB Task Force meeting in Geneva, 9-10 April 2008. The measures build on the work and progress in place around eight key objectives that were issued at the first XDR-TB Task Force meeting in October 2006.
The eight objectives focus on:
- strengthening TB control through the Stop TB Strategy
- scaling up of MDR/XDR-TB programmes
- expanding laboratory services
- expanding surveillance
- establishing infection control
- increasing awareness and information
- pursuit of funding
- promoting research and development.
Around 100 participants attended the second Task Force meeting which also examined ways to scale up the response and use of new technologies and tools in the field of drug-resistant TB.
XDR-TB emerged as a global health priority in 2006 and has so far been confirmed in more than 45 countries. In February 2008, WHO warned that the highest rates of multidrug-resistant TB had been recorded in its fourth global report on drug-resistant TB.
WHO Stop TB will issue a full report and recommendations from the above meeting.