Tuberculosis Outbreak in Long Beach Prompts Public Health Emergency
1 Dead, 9 Hospitalized as Hotel Becomes Ground Zero
Long Beach health officials are scrambling to contain a tuberculosis outbreak after it claimed one life and hospitalized nine others. A total of 14 cases have been confirmed, all believed to be connected to a single-room occupancy hotel in the city.
Protecting Privacy but Prioritizing Public Health
Officials declined to identify the hotel publicly in order to protect patient privacy. However, they emphasized that “the outbreak is currently isolated to a distinct population and the risk to the general public is low.” This vulnerable population faces “significant barriers to care including homelessness and housing insecurity, mental illness, substance use and serious medical comorbidities,” according to a city statement.
Aggressive Measures to Contain the Outbreak
The City’s Health Department is actively contacting anyone who may have been exposed during their stay at the hotel. Declaring a public health emergency allows them to allocate the necessary resources for large-scale screening and treatment, a complex task due to the population’s mobility and potential healthcare access challenges.
Tuberculosis: Treatable but Serious
While treatable, tuberculosis is a serious lung infection spread through the air by coughing or sneezing. Health officials stressed that it’s less contagious than COVID-19, but this outbreak poses a particular threat to those already susceptible, including homeless individuals, people who use drugs, and those living with HIV.
Comprehensive Care Provided
The Long Beach Health Department is committed to providing extensive care for those infected, including medication, housing, and food assistance. Treatment involves months of multiple medications taken under direct medical supervision.
