Epidemics in the US: Stories and Meaning

Though we have discussed various TB epidemics in developing worlds, we have hide away from those in the developed world. This is not to say that the developed world is exempt from TB epidemics. In fact, in 1995 there was an outbreak in Minneapolis.

The story goes as follows: One person in Minneapolis entered a bar on evening. This person happened to be infected with TB. Consequently, he infected 41 people in that neighborhood bar that evening. Stepping back, this story seems a little daunting. I do not believe that the customers of the bar that evening expected to be put into a dangerous situation.

This bar situation is not entirely unique. In Western Canada, a healthcare worker infected over 100 other people with TB. A postal worker in Tampa, Florida, also infected his coworkers. Clearly, developed worlds are not exempt from TB.
Yet, these outbreaks are not as prevalent as similar ones in developing worlds. Those in poorer countries occur more often and can often lead to more serious consequences. In developing worlds, the public does not have access to the drugs that it needs to cure the infected. Similarly, there is not enough staff to ensure proper completion of treatment plan. Consequently, developing worlds have a much higher death rate.

So then, how should the few cases in developed worlds be viewed? Are the unfortunate instances in which the public was put into danger? Does it reflect on the poor public security plan? Or, more likely, should these cases be seen as insightful instances that depict the disparity between the disease in developed worlds and that in developing worlds?