Federal and state health officials are in the search of people who may have been exposed to a woman having a form of tuberculosis. The matter is of concern as this form of tuberculosis does not accept many treatments.

Currently, the patient is admitted at the National Institutes of Health. The woman took treatment for tuberculosis overseas and then flew from India to Chicago. She has spent time in Missouri and Tennessee, where she visited her relatives.

After seven weeks, the woman became quite sick and was admitted to the hospital. Now, authorities concerned are tracking people who have come in contact with the woman, including the ones who were sitting next to her in flights.

Risk of the spread of the disease is low. But doctors have raised concerns, as XDR-TB is quite dangerous. McNelly, an infectious disease specialist at Capitol Region Medical Center, said tuberculosis bacteria can remain alive in the air for several hours.

The CDC said they are focusing on people who were sitting within two rows in front and behind the woman in the flight.

On Wednesday, doctor said it is necessary that people who have come in contact with woman having drug-resistant form of tuberculosis are at sure shot risk of contracting the disease.

Tuberculosis kills 1.5 million people in the world every year, but the condition is better in America. The treatment of this disease involves multiple pills taken every day for six months. Its symptoms include bad cough lasting 3 weeks or longer, chest pain, coughing up blood, weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, fever, chills and night sweats.