More than one-third of refugees in Vermont test positive for tuberculosis

Watchdog.org ^ | June 2, 2016 | Bruce Parker

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

Data from the Vermont Department of Health show that more than one-third of refugees resettled in Vermont test positive for tuberculosis.

Since 2013, about 900 refugees admitted to the Green Mountain State have been tested for tuberculosis, a potentially fatal infectious disease affecting the lungs. Of that number, 318 refugees, or 35.4 percent, tested positive.

Watchdog.org obtained the health data on Wednesday following reporting by Stateline that the disease may be making a comeback in the United States.

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

Refugees brought to the United States undergo TB tests as part of comprehensive health screenings. State health departments track the data to monitor cases and protect against public health crises.

According to IGRA (Interferon-Gamma Release Assays) blood test results from 2013 to the present, the highest percentage of incoming refugees to Vermont infected with TB occurred in 2013. That year, 108 refugees out of 248 tested, or 43.6 percent, showed positive for TB. (more information and statistics at source)

[Pelham]

Epidemic is a small price for America to pay. Just ask our open borders hacks in both parties. America last!

[JBW1949]

Way to go, Obama...You dipsh*t!!!!!!!!!

[The Antiyuppie]

It’s my understanding that if one was ever exposed to tuberculosis, had an infection, and fought it off, OR took a vaccine used in the third world (not used in the US), that person will test positive. Determining if a person has an active case at that point is far more difficult, expensive, and less accurate. Just great!

[Doogle]

Hey Bernie,pick up line one....it’s a call from one of your backers backer home

[HarleyLady27]

Are we glad we have such a ‘fine, upstanding’ pResident to let all these people into our country? I hope the people that voted for him get sick first...serve them right!!!

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

The Antiyuppie:" Determining if a person has an active case at that point is far more difficult, expensive, and less accurate."

The cheapie test is called a 'tine test', and is routinely administered during a physical exam by a physician.
It is a topical skin test to see if there is any reaction to the slight puncture to the skin, but doesn't draw any blood.
The test is then read by the physician 2-3 days later.
Anyone who has ever been exposed to tuberculosis will test positive , and requires further testing to determine whether the patient is an active carrier, or just exposed.
Medical treatment is expensive .

[fision]

It couldn’t happen to a better State!

[pepsionice]

This is true...once diagnosed and given the pill treatment...you will always test positive and it invites a number of questions and issues if you ever get to a second episode of the disease.

I was in the Air Force and spent time in both Central America and Saudi Arabia. After coming back from Desert Storm, they did the skin test on me and confirmed TB. I did the pill business and at the end....I just sat there amazed as I asked the obvious questions and the doctor laid out the future issues for me.

[BloodScarletMinnesota]

Refugees brought to the United States undergo TB tests as part of comprehensive health screenings. State health departments track the data to monitor cases and protect against public health crises. According to IGRA (Interferon-Gamma Release Assays) blood test results from 2013 to the present, the highest percentage of incoming refugees to Vermont infected with TB occurred in 2013. That year, 108 refugees out of 248 tested, or 43.6 percent, showed positive for TB. (more information and statistics at source

I doubt any scientist or epidemiologist on any government payroll will dare speak out, even though they know.
Telling the truth is "racist".

[Gunpowder green]

Where are they from?
Ellis Island used to have TB screening back in the day, and they’d send you back if you had it. How far we’ve fallen...

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

I caught atypical TB in my twenties. I was coughing so hard I broke 13 ribs. I kept going to docs, and they kept telling me “You have broken ribs. Here’s some codeine.” Finally wemt to Milwaukee General. They said the same thing, then called me the next day and asked me to stop in. They locked me in the TB ward for several months. I lost everything I owned before they figured out it was atypical, and not contagious. Docs thought I got it gardening, but I think it was from the water-based lubricant at the machine shop I worked at. They hired a lot of street bums to do menial work. I had to take meds for two years. /Not fun!

[Daffynition]

Where are they *settling* in Vermont?

I’ll be sure not to go there.

[alexander_busek]

It’s my understanding that if one was ever exposed to tuberculosis, had an infection, and fought it off, OR took a vaccine used in the third world (not used in the US), that person will test positive. Determining if a person has an active case at that point is far more difficult, expensive, and less accurate. Just great!

Correct! This article had the duty to explain the consequences of "testing positive," should have cited - for comparison - corresponding statistics for native U.S. Americans, and should have fully distinguished between "testing positive" and "actively infected / infectious."

Regards,

[alexander_busek]

I just sat there amazed as I asked the obvious questions and the doctor laid out the future issues for me.

What were those "obvious" questions, what were the doctor's answers, and what were the "future issues?"

Thanks!

Regards,

[libertarian27]

Rutland this year, apparently.
http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2016/05/remaking_rutland_with_refugees.html

[pepsionice]

The pill kills off virus one. You still test positive every single time you take the standard test so it’s worthless after the first episode. If you think you might have the disease a second time...your doctor will probably try to tell you that you don’t have it because it’ll mean a whole lot of minor tests to reach some scientific guess that yes, you do have it a second time.

The TST test is just a yes or no test...nothing else.

This AFB smear is simple and easy....but it’s not 100-percent reliable.

Twenty years ago when I had my episode....they didn’t have people who were drug resistant....today? They rarely give numbers but you could be identified and find out three months after your pill treatment that this didn’t do much at all.

The whole ‘sell’ to TB is that you get diagnosed early on and get treatment. If you are in the military, you get TB-tested each time you process out to a new installation. Most Americans won’t ever get TB tested in their life. You could be married to someone who went across the Mexican border fifteen years ago for one weekend, and never talked about it, and now in the last year been diagnosed with a very active case.

[jonrick46]

“Bernie Sanders! Bernie Sanders! Will Bernie Sanders pick up the red phone at the TB screening counter?”

[Daffynition]

Thanks Lib27, I was surmising it was Burlington.

I hope not one of the people get jobs at the food manufacturing companies I frequently buy from, like Lake Champlain Chocolate, B&Js, Vermont Bread Co. Geez. ;(

I can imagine Rutland as a neo-Lewiston. Double GEEZ!

[grania]

When the invaders were allowed to swarm over our southern border, there was that big push to shame all parents into having children get their vaccinations. Schools put up new rules demanding it. Those who have serious question about their safety were marginalized and ridiculed.

Now we know why. The feds must have known that they were going to flood the US with invaders who would bring diseases with them. We ALL pay for this, because it will raise health (thus insurance) costs and it will further stretch medical care options.