The short answer is yes. The 2007 Tuberculosis Technical Instructions apply to international adoptions. Children are immigrants to the United States through international adoptions and therefore the 2007 Tuberculosis Technical Instructions require TB testing.
In 2007, the TB guidelines were updated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) making testing and treatment more specific. The new 2007 guidelines require that children ages 2 through 14 years, if coming from a country where the TB rate is 20 cases or more per 100,000 people, have a TB skin test.
The CDC is implementing the 2007 Tuberculosis Technical Instructions slowly adding a few countries a year, based on the number of immigrants coming to the U.S., health care in the country, and rates of TB in the country.
If a child tests positive than a chest X-ray is required. If the chest X-ray points to a TB diagnosis, more cultures and sputum smears are required. If the a TB diagnosis is confirmed, treatment follows and must be completed before the child can enter the U.S.
Positive TB tests and treatments delay international adoptions becoming finalized, as well as the joyous trip home as a new family.
