ATLANTA --- The Atlanta attorney who caused an international health scare when he flew to Europe for his wedding even though he was infected with a drug-resistant form of tuberculosis is suing federal health officials, claiming they invaded his privacy.
Andrew Speaker got worldwide attention in 2007 after he flew knowing he had tuberculosis. Doctors first thought he had a more severe form, but later tests revealed a less dangerous strain.
The lawsuit filed in federal court in Atlanta on Tuesday claims the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention damaged Mr. Speaker's reputation and made him the target of death threats. The lawsuit, which says he and his new bride split up because of the stress, seeks unspecified damages and court fees.
CDC spokesman Tom Skinner declined to comment.
Mr. Speaker, a plaintiff's attorney, was in Europe for his wedding and honeymoon when he learned tests showed he had an extremely drug-resistant strain of tuberculosis known as XDR-TB. He'd been advised not to fly to Europe in the first place, but at that point he'd been diagnosed with a less severe strain.
Despite warnings from health officials not to board another international flight, he took a flight to Montreal and drove through the American border.
He subsequently became the first American quarantined by the federal government since 1963.
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