Today marks World TB Day, the anniversary of the day in 1882 when the cause of tuberculosis (the TB bacillus) was first discovered.

This year the awareness-raising around TB Day is tied to awareness of new strains of the disease — strains which are highly drug resistant, classified as either multi-drug resistant (MDR-TB), or extensively drug-resistant (XDR-TB).  2008-09 marked the highest ever number of M/XDR-TB cases reported to WHO.

WHO is calling the rise in cases of M/XDR-TB alarming, and an urgent global health priority. From April 1st to 3rd, they are is sponsoring a three day meeting in Beijing, which will bring together health ministers from 27 countries with high rates of M/XDR-TB.

“To allow this form of TB to become widespread would be a setback of epic proportions”
–WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan, in her address to the 61st World Health Assembly. [link]