The Wall Street Journal tracks the increase in tuberculosis cases along the U.S.-Mexico border and highlights concerns about the possibility of a drug-resistant TB outbreak.

The MDR-TB rates are still quite low compared to other nations — Mexico had 467 MDR-TB cases in 2011, and the U.S. had 124. Nearly half of the U.S. cases were in California and Texas. In San Diego, the overall TB rate is about twice the national average. Meanwhile, Los Angeles is currently trying to control its worst TB outbreak in a decade.

The article details the challenges presented by a relatively porous border, nonadherence to treatment, reduced funding, and drug-related violence.

Source: Wall Street Journal