28 Mar Infectious Tuberculosis Can Arrive With Temporary Visa Holders in Tourism Industry
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Meghan Weinberg PhD
Epidemic Intelligence Service
CDC
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Weinberg: Tuberculosis (TB) is a deadly disease. Once a leading killer in the United States, national, state, and local TB program efforts have dramatically reduced cases. With fewer cases occurring each year in the United States, health care providers might not consider TB when a patient has symptoms of TB disease. Every year, temporary visa holders come to the United States to work in a variety of tourist locations including amusement parks, ski lodges, national parks, and cultural or historical sites. TB testing is not required for persons entering the United States on a temporary visa.
This report documents three cases of infectious TB disease among temporary workers in the tourism industry. Increased Tuberculosis awareness is needed among employers, health care providers, and public health officials.
MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Weinberg: Clinicians should be aware of the potential for imported tuberculosis disease in foreign-born seasonal workers and promptly report suspected cases to health officials to limit TB transmission.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Weinberg: We recommend increasing awareness among employers and clinicians about the potential for active TB among foreign-born temporary workers. Prompt recognition of tuberculosis signs and symptoms is crucial for timely treatment and elimination of the public health threat.
MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.
Citation:
Weinberg MP, Cherry C, Lipnitz J, et al. Tuberculosis Among Temporary Visa Holders Working in the Tourism Industry — United States, 2012–2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016;65:279–281. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6511a3.
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More Medical Research Interviews on MedicalResearch.com
Dr. Meghan Weinberg (2016). Infectious Tuberculosis Can Arrive With Temporary Visa Holders in Tourism Industry MedicalResearch.com
Last Updated on March 28, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD