Tuberculosis outbreak proclaimed a public health emergency in Long Beach, though overall danger remains minor, authorities assert.
A health official in Long Beach, California, Dr. Anissa Davis, declared a public health crisis yesterday, due to an ongoing tuberculosis (TB) outbreak, as per an official city release. The declaration will allegedly be discussed and potentially approved by the Long Beach City Council on Tuesday.
The city's health department has identified around 170 people who might have come into contact with TB in their investigation of the outbreak. However, the importance of functioning public health programs cannot be understated, as, according to the update, the threat of TB to individuals residing, working, or visiting Long Beach remains minimal.
A string of TB cases was discovered among several individuals related to a single room occupancy hotel in Long Beach, with 14 reported cases linked to the outbreak as of Monday. Nine of these individuals had been admitted to hospitals during their illness, and one unfortunate individual had already succumbed to the illness. The city chose not to reveal the name of the hotel to safeguard patient confidentiality and comply with related regulations. The concerned individuals, including those who stayed at the hotel and those potentially exposed, have been notified, said the city.
The department's spokesperson stated that the TB outbreak is currently confined to an exclusive set of residents and the overall risk to the general public remains low. The high-risk population comprises of people facing challenges like homelessness, housing insecurities, mental health issues, substance use, and severe comorbidities.
A team of health department staff members is in the process of assessing possible exposures based on symptoms, blood tests, or skin tests; some individuals may require chest X-rays for a more accurate determination.
As large a task as it is to identify, screen, and treat a numerous number of people, it comes with its challenges. By declaring a public health emergency, the department hopes to speed up their resource allocation, tighten containment measures and efficiently combat the outbreak, explained the release.
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that predominantly targets the lungs, and often manifests in symptoms like coughing, chest pain, and fever. It's distinguishable by coughing up blood or mucus. While fatal, tuberculosis is curable with a standardized drug course, and can also somewhat be prevented through methods like screening, vaccination, and ensuring that infected individuals finish their treatment.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned last year that cases of tuberculosis incidents reported across the nation have climbed back to levels before the pandemic. The year 2022 saw a small increase in the number reported cases, following a 20.2% decrease in 2020 and a 9.8% increase in 2021.
Researchers from the CDC revealed that tuberculosis cases seem to be back on the rise in the US, after witnessing a gradual decrease that started in 1993 but dropped from 1993 to 2019, reaching 2.7 cases per 100,000 people in 2019 and then to 2.2 in 2020. They explained that many tuberculosis cases may have been overlooked, misdiagnosed, or delayed during the pandemic.
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The city's health department is currently focusing on assessing potential exposures within the high-risk population, including individuals facing challenges like homelessness and severe comorbidities. Despite declaring a public health emergency, the overall risk of TB to the general public remains low.
Source: edition.cnn.com
