Plan to Combat Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: Recommendations of the Federal Tuberculosis Task Force

This report was produced by a Federal TB task force that was reconvened by CDC in November 2006. The task force drafted an updated action plan to address the issue of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR TB). Task force members were charged with articulating the most pressing problems, identifying barriers to improvement, and recommending specific action steps to improve prevention and control of XDR TB in their respective areas. The recommendations include specific action steps and new activities that will require additional funding and a renewed commitment by government and nongovernment organizations involved in domestic and international TB control efforts to be implemented effectively. The Federal TB Task force will coordinate activities of various federal agencies and partner with state and local health departments, nonprofit and TB advocacy organizations in implementing the plan to control and prevent XDR TB in the United States and to contribute to global efforts in the fight against this emerging public health crisis.