A local public health emergency was declared on Thursday in Long Beach, California, due to a tuberculosis outbreak. City Health Officer Dr. Anissa Davis made the declaration in order to enhance the city’s preparedness and response to the outbreak. Officials stated that the outbreak is isolated to a specific population and the risk of contracting the illness is low.
The outbreak is primarily affecting individuals with barriers to care such as homelessness, housing insecurity, mental illness, substance use, and serious medical conditions. It has been associated with a single room occupancy hotel in Long Beach where 14 cases of TB disease have been identified, with nine hospitalizations and one fatality. Health Department workers are currently screening contacts for tuberculosis, with approximately 170 people potentially exposed.
Tuberculosis is a serious illness that primarily targets the lungs and spreads easily in crowded or congested environments. Antibiotics are typically used to treat tuberculosis, but some strains may be resistant to treatment. In the United States, vaccination against tuberculosis is uncommon due to the low incidence of the disease in the country.
In related news, health officials in Chicago recently reported cases of tuberculosis at migrant shelters, highlighting the importance of early detection and treatment for the disease.
