1 dead as California city detects localized tuberculosis outbreak, health officials say

→ Оригинал (без защиты от корпорастов) | Изображения из статьи: [1] [2]

by JESSICA A. BOTELHO | The National Desk

Fri, May 3rd 2024 at 12:52 PM

Updated Fri, May 3rd 2024 at 2:13 PM

This 1966 microscope photo provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli, the organism responsible for causing the disease tuberculosis. The number of U.S. tuberculosis cases in 2023 were the highest in a decade, according to a report released by the CDC on Thursday, March 28, 2024. (Elizabeth S. Mingioli/CDC via AP)

LONG BEACH, Calif. (TND) — One person has died in connection to a tuberculosis outbreak that was detected in a Southern California city, with officials declaring a health emergency.

Long Beach City Health Officer Dr. Anissa Davis made the announcement Thursday, noting that the goal is "to strengthen the city's preparedness and ability to respond to" the outbreak in terms of tracking, screening and treating people who were exposed.

The risk of tuberculosis for people in Long Beach remains "very low," Davis noted in a news release.

The outbreak is currently isolated to a distinct population and the risk to the general public is low," she said in a news release. "The population at risk in this outbreak has significant barriers to care including homelessness and housing insecurity, mental illness, substance use and serious medical comorbidities."

Davis said the outbreak was linked to a single-room occupancy hotel room. She said about 170 people were identified as likely to have been exposed.

As of April 29, 14 cases of TB disease have been associated with this outbreak; nine people have been hospitalized at some point in their illness; and one person has died," according to Davis. "To protect patient privacy and comply with HIPAA regulations, the name of the hotel will not be released. The facility is a private hotel not operated by or contracted with the City of Long Beach. People who were staying at the hotel at the time or could have otherwise been exposed have been or will be contacted by the Health Department."

Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria that usually attack the lungs, and it is spread through the air when an infectious person coughs or sneezes.

The number of U.S. tuberculosis cases in 2023 was the highest in a decade, according to a report last month by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In California, there were 2,113 new cases in 2023, an increase of 15% over 2022, according to the state Department of Public Health.

___________

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Associated Press contributed to this report.