Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KATHMANDU2919
2006-11-02 08:17:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:
TWO CONFIRMED CASES OF XDR TB IN NEPAL
how-toVZCZCXYZ0018 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHKT #2919 3060817 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 020817Z NOV 06 FM AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3704 INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 4914 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO PRIORITY 5169 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA PRIORITY 0326 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 3163 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 4549 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 0417 RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC PRIORITY 0015 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS KATHMANDU 002919
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO SOCI PREF CDC HHS NP
SUBJECT: TWO CONFIRMED CASES OF XDR TB IN NEPAL
TWO CONFIRMED CASES OF XDR TB
-----------------------------
UNCLAS KATHMANDU 002919
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO SOCI PREF CDC HHS NP
SUBJECT: TWO CONFIRMED CASES OF XDR TB IN NEPAL
TWO CONFIRMED CASES OF XDR TB
--------------
1. (SBU) Post has recently become aware of two cases of XDR
TB in Nepal. According to Post's medical officer, both of the
reported XDR TB patients in Nepal are Tibetan refugees. XDR
is an extremely drug resistant form of Tuberculosis. The
first patient died in March 2006 and Post's medical officer
believes that the GENETUP (German-Nepal TB Program) lab in
Kathmandu diagnosed her. GENETUP confirmed the second
diagnosis--the first patient's sister--a few months ago. The
strain is resistant to eight drugs. The second patient is
married to an American citizen and therefore has potential
immigration benefits to the US. Her husband does not appear
to have active TB, though Post's medical officer assesses
that he probably has latent XDR TB. Two weeks ago, a monk
who had prolonged contact with the second patient in a
monastery was diagnosed with TB, though it is unknown whether
his TB is XDR or not.
POTENTIAL FOR BROADER EXPOSURE
--------------
2. (SBU) The Embassy is concerned that the two patients
infected with XDR TB may have had significant contact with
others in Nepal. The person currently suffering from XDR TB
is potentially still contagious and is not complying with
isolation and medication instructions. At this time, it is
unclear when the two patients developed XDR TB, but Post's
medical officer believes the second patient has had active
XDR TB for quite some time. She has been in contact with
dozens of people while attending daily classes at the
monastery, though Post's medical officer assesses that she
might have infected only the people who sat or slept close to
her at the monastery. Post is not aware of any additional
cases.
MORIARTY
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO SOCI PREF CDC HHS NP
SUBJECT: TWO CONFIRMED CASES OF XDR TB IN NEPAL
TWO CONFIRMED CASES OF XDR TB
--------------
1. (SBU) Post has recently become aware of two cases of XDR
TB in Nepal. According to Post's medical officer, both of the
reported XDR TB patients in Nepal are Tibetan refugees. XDR
is an extremely drug resistant form of Tuberculosis. The
first patient died in March 2006 and Post's medical officer
believes that the GENETUP (German-Nepal TB Program) lab in
Kathmandu diagnosed her. GENETUP confirmed the second
diagnosis--the first patient's sister--a few months ago. The
strain is resistant to eight drugs. The second patient is
married to an American citizen and therefore has potential
immigration benefits to the US. Her husband does not appear
to have active TB, though Post's medical officer assesses
that he probably has latent XDR TB. Two weeks ago, a monk
who had prolonged contact with the second patient in a
monastery was diagnosed with TB, though it is unknown whether
his TB is XDR or not.
POTENTIAL FOR BROADER EXPOSURE
--------------
2. (SBU) The Embassy is concerned that the two patients
infected with XDR TB may have had significant contact with
others in Nepal. The person currently suffering from XDR TB
is potentially still contagious and is not complying with
isolation and medication instructions. At this time, it is
unclear when the two patients developed XDR TB, but Post's
medical officer believes the second patient has had active
XDR TB for quite some time. She has been in contact with
dozens of people while attending daily classes at the
monastery, though Post's medical officer assesses that she
might have infected only the people who sat or slept close to
her at the monastery. Post is not aware of any additional
cases.
MORIARTY