[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 48 (Thursday, March 25, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E487]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN RECOGNITION OF WORLD TB DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 25, 2010

  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
importance of World TB Day. Tuberculosis is the second leading global 
infectious disease killer behind HIV/AIDS, claiming approximately 1.8 
million lives each year. It is estimated that \1/3\ of the world's 
population is infected with TB. This disease kills people of all races 
and ages around the world.
  The global TB pandemic and spread of drug resistant TB presents a 
persistent public health threat to the U.S. The WHO reports that 5 
percent of all new TB cases are drug resistant, with estimates of up to 
28 percent drug resistant reported in some parts of Russia. Of these 
numbers, it is estimated that only 7 percent are receiving treatment.
  Although drugs, diagnostics and vaccines for TB exist, these 
technologies are antiquated and are increasingly inadequate for 
controlling the global epidemic. The most commonly used TB diagnostic 
in the world, sputum microscopy, is more than 100 years old and lacks 
sensitivity to detect TB in most HIV/AIDS patients and in children.
  Drug susceptibility tests for drug resistant TB take 2-4 weeks to 
complete, during which time a drug resistant TB patient in a developing 
country may die. The TB vaccine, BCG, provides some protection to 
children, but has little or no efficacy in preventing pulmonary TB in 
adults. We will never be able to defeat TB without the introduction of 
new identification, treatment and prevention tools.
  World TB Day provides us with an opportunity to celebrate the 
significant gains made in the fight against TB and reminds of us the 
challenges ahead. Since 1995, 36 million people around the world have 
successfully been treated for TB and 9 million lives have been saved.
  Less than 2 years ago, this Congress passed two historic laws to 
combat TB. The Comprehensive TB Elimination Act authorizes the tools to 
put the U.S. on the path to TB elimination and the Lantos-Hyde Act, 
with multi-lateral commitment, aims to reduce the global TB burden by 
half within a decade.
  Both of these laws would support an increased research investment to 
get us the new TB diagnostic, treatment and prevention tools that we 
urgently need. With enactment of these 2 laws, we have the power to 
combat TB effectively and reduce the human misery that this disease 
wreaks around the world.
  I urge my colleagues to work with me and our colleagues on the 
Appropriations Committee to fully fund these measures.

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