According to experts, they think that the South African government has underestimated the spread of tuberculosis. Earlier, there were a total of forty-nine patients that escaped from the Jose Pearson hospital near Port Elizabeth, according to officials. However, twenty-six have returned.
The patients have said they wanted to spend Christmas with their families. However, South African health officials said the patients needed to return to the hospital immediately as they pose a risk to public health.
“I think that those who returned are aware that they are putting themselves and their families at risk,” said Siyanda Manana, hospital spokesman.
Manana added: “If they [the others] do not return immediately, department officials will be accompanied by members of the South African Police Service in a door-to-door search.”
Currently, the country is battling the spread of the virulent forms of tuberculosis. The virulent forms are very dangerous to those whom are infected with HIV. Currently, there are over five million people with HIV.
From an Associated Press report, 400 people are already diagnosed with XDR-TB which is the drug resistant strain of tuberculosis. But, the figure could be higher because many die before they can be diagnosed.
Several areas in the country had to take legal action to force patients with XDR-TB to stay in the hospital.