Tuberculosis Outbreak Kills 1 In Long Beach

LONG BEACH, CA — One person has died and nine people have been hospitalized due to a tuberculosis outbreak in Long Beach, health officials announced Thursday.

Long Beach City Health Officer Dr. Anissa Davis has declared a local public health emergency to strengthen the city's ability to respond to the outbreak. So far, 14 cases of the disease have been associated with the outbreak and approximately 170 people have been exposed.

The outbreak was traced back to a private hotel in Long Beach that isn't operated by or contracted with the city. To protect patient privacy and comply with HIPAA regulations, officials could not share the name of the hotel.

People who were staying at the hotel or may be at risk of exposure will be contacted by the Health Department, officials said.

"The outbreak is currently isolated to a distinct population and the risk to the general public is low. 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," the city said in a statement.

The Health Department will continue to screen patients associated with the outbreak and said the number of cases is expected to increase. Those who are found to be infected will be provided treatment, which requires months of multiple medications and medicine given under the direction of staff.

Declaring a public health emergency will streamline the department's ability to quickly secure resources and take action to contain the outbreak. According to the city, the health department has exhausted its resources to manage this response without an emergency declaration.

"The risk of TB for people who live, work, study or visit in Long Beach remains very low," the city said.

Tuberculosis is a serious illness caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis and spreads through the air, such as when a person coughs, sneezes or speaks. Tuberculosis usually required prolonged exposure between the diseased person and others.

Not everyone who is exposed to the illness will become infected and not everyone infected with the bacteria becomes sick. People who have been recently infected and people with weak immune systems are at high risk for developing tuberculosis, the health department said.

People with active tuberculosis will usually feel sick and have symptoms like a cough that lasts for two or more weeks, fever, night sweats, weight loss or feeling tired.