[happygrl]

This is not a theoretical avian flu.

This is NOW.

[Pearls Before Swine]

One missing fact, not in the article, that would be worth knowing: How infectious is this, and what is the differential rate of infection for non-HIV people versus those with HIV? Clearly, if these rates aren't dramatically different, this is a very bad bug.

[IronJack]

the planned move pits public protection against human rights.

"Human rights" be damned! Government represents the collective, and has the duty of protecting that collective. If it fails in that duty, then the collective will protect itself. And in that eventuality, detainment is the least of these Typhoid Marys' worries.

[GovernmentShrinker]

There is no "human right" to go around infecting thousands of people with a deadly disease that you have.

[Cicero]

It also doesn't indicate whether this strain is immune to prior vaccination.

There have been a few cases of AIDS-related TB in New York in the past, I think. No idea whether this is anything similar.

It's hard for us to tell South Africa that they should isolate these patients, when we have passed laws in the U.S. that effectively let people spread AIDS as they please.

[Pontiac]

More than 300 cases of the highly infectious disease, which is spread by airborne droplets and kills 98% of those infected within about two weeks, have been identified in South Africa.

When numbers like these are reported they rarely turn out to be true.

As is reported in the article many of the TB victims are also infected with AIDS. Many of the AIDS patients in SA do not take their medication and sell it. They also do not stay on their treatment so that they can continue to receive disability payments.

These numbers also more than likely only count hospitalize TB patients.

Because the majority of these TB suffers are also AIDS patients it is to be expected that the disease would be fatal.

[traviskicks]

ping

[Redbob]

There's no dilemma here: when you have people carrying a highly infectious and deadly disease, you prevent them from spreading it by whatever means are necessary.

And while I wasn't writing about HIV, I could have been...

[wouldntbprudent]

So why is this not getting the hoopla that attends the mere mention of the avian flu? Any guesses?

[GaltTrader]

Also of importance is preventing those factors that lead to infectious TB and these are poverty, poor housing, overcrowding and poor nutrition and any other factors that weakens patients' resistance to acquiring infections
( from the article)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

AIDS....That is the the "factor" "that weakens patient's resistance to acquiring infections."

HIV infected individuals, with their reduced immunity, and their often promiscuous and/or drug addicted lifestyles, are walking petri dishes of communicable diseases that can and do infect the general public. TB is one of those diseases.

HIV and TB are commonly found together. If you do not believe this do a Google search on the words: Google and TB.

[meyer]

Governments will love the latest expansion of power. Once this catches on, imagine how many people will be "detained" for the common cold.

[djf]

This is bad news indeed.

[xsmommy]

thanks for posting this, it sounds SCARY.

[Blue Jays]

Hi All-

If I was unfortunately cursed with an easily-identified and highly-infectious disease that had a 95%+ opportunity of killing me inside two weeks, I would be glad to go to a containment center even if only to protect my family, friends, and neighbors.

~ Blue Jays ~

[Zeroisanumber]

Patients are already detainable in the US under the 72-hour medical hold rule. A doctor can simply sign a paper and you're stuck for 72 hours of observation and possibly longer if a judge signs off on an extended hold.