A new directive from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has angered proponents of international adoption. The directive requires all immigrants from Ethiopia and China who are over the age of two to be tested for tuberculosis.

According to an Aug. 10 Associated Press article, "adoption advocates say the required testing procedures  and treatment in the case of positive tests  could cause delays ranging from several weeks to 12 months for obtaining a visa to bring adopted children back to the U.S."

A petition is being circulated among several major adoption organizations, asking the CDC to exempt adopted children from its TB test requirement. Many argue that children who test positive would receive better medical treatment in the United States than they would in their countries of origin.

Labels: international, health

Posted By: Aspen/CRC