RL34144
Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (XDR-TB): Emerging Public Health Threats and Quarantine and Isolation
April 01, 2008
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Summary
The international saga of Andrew Speaker, a traveler thought to have XDR-TB, a drug-resistant form of tuberculosis, placed a spotlight on existing mechanisms to contain contagious disease threats and raised numerous legal and public health issues. This report presents the factual situation presented by Andrew Speaker; briefly addresses the existing law relating to quarantine and isolation, with an emphasis on the interaction of state and federal laws and international agreements; and examines the relationship of quarantine and isolation to civil rights protections. It will be updated as necessary.
