Church leaders, WHO express concern over drug-resistant tuberculosis

Published: 2007-03-23

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Church leaders, along with the World Health Organization, have expressed concern over the increased rates of drug-resistant tuberculosis worldwide. Pope Benedict XVI, speaking at his general audience March 21, said the latest reports show that more work is still needed to effectively treat those who suffer from the disease. World Tuberculosis Day, a WHO-sponsored initiative to focus attention on one of the world's most deadly diseases, was being marked March 24. A WHO statement issued March 22 had good news and bad news: The rate of infection leveled off for the first time in 13 years, but new and potentially more lethal versions of the disease have emerged. Msgr. Jean-Marie Musivi Mpendawatu, a member of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Ministry, told Catholic News Service that tuberculosis has the potential to be more dangerous than AIDS and malaria combined, because so many countries do not have the resources to prevent and treat the disease effectively. "We cannot let down our guard against this disease," he said.

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .