(Scypre.com) – In a distressing turn of events, a lethal outbreak of tuberculosis (TB) has erupted within the confines of a California hotel dedicated to accommodating homeless individuals, resulting in the tragic demise of one person and prompting local health authorities to declare a state of public health emergency.
The concerning outbreak, which unfolded within the undisclosed premises of the hotel, has afflicted a total of 14 individuals, with nine of them necessitating hospitalization, as revealed by the Department of Health and Human Services for Long Beach in a statement issued on Thursday. The identity of the deceased remains undisclosed at present.
“The outbreak is presently confined to a specific demographic, and the overall risk to the broader public remains minimal,” officials from the city assured in their announcement. “The demographic affected by this outbreak encounters substantial obstacles in accessing healthcare, including homelessness, housing instability, mental health disorders, substance abuse, and concurrent medical conditions.”
Authorities underscored that the declaration of a health emergency was imperative to bolster the city’s preparedness and capacity to effectively address the unfolding crisis.
Approximately 170 individuals are believed to have been potentially exposed to TB, prompting the Health Department to initiate the meticulous screening of contacts for TB symptoms through a battery of diagnostic measures such as blood or skin tests and chest X-rays.
Health officials anticipate a surge in both the number of confirmed cases and contacts as the investigation progresses, assuring that individuals found to harbor active TB disease or latent TB infection will promptly receive appropriate treatment.
The decision to withhold the name of the hotel was motivated by the imperative to safeguard patient confidentiality and adhere to the stipulations outlined in The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Importantly, it was emphasized that the hotel in question operates as a private entity independent of any affiliation with the City of Long Beach.
Tuberculosis, transmitted through airborne particles, primarily targets the lungs but can also affect various other bodily organs such as the kidneys, spine, and brain. In contrast to COVID-19, TB exhibits a lower degree of contagion.
“You can contract tuberculosis if you come into contact with airborne particles released through coughing or sneezing. When these bacteria-laden particles are inhaled, individuals in close proximity risk exposure,” explained Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, a distinguished double board-certified physician based in New York City, in a recent interview with Fox News Digital.
This resurgence of TB cases in the United States follows a disquieting trend observed in 2023, where the recorded instances of TB infections reached the highest levels seen in a decade, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). From 8,320 cases in 2022, the tally surged to 9,615 in 2023, marking an increase of 1,295 cases across all age brackets. Data gleaned from the agency also indicates a near 10,000-strong infection count recorded back in 2013.
Adding to the national concern, health officials in Chicago disclosed last month the identification of a “limited number” of tuberculosis (TB) cases within certain migrant facilities situated within the city limits.