The sudden outbreak, which has occurred in an undisclosed hotel, has infected 14 individuals, leading to the hospitalization of nine. The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services announced the alarming situation on Thursday, although the identity of the deceased individual remains undisclosed.
City officials have sought to reassure the public, stating that "the outbreak is currently isolated to a distinct population and the risk to the general public is low." They further elaborated on the vulnerable population at risk, stating, "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."
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The declaration of a health emergency is a strategic move aimed at bolstering the city's capacity to respond to the outbreak, according to officials. Despite the relatively small number of hospitalizations, the report indicates that approximately 170 individuals have likely been exposed to the infectious disease. The Health Department is currently conducting screenings for the illness, utilizing blood or skin tests, chest X-rays, and symptom reviews.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has emphasized the severity of tuberculosis, an illness that primarily affects the lungs and can be easily transmitted through the air by an infected individual coughing, sneezing, or speaking. Long Beach health officials warned, "Tuberculosis spreads easily where people gather in crowds or where people live in crowded conditions," adding that "People with HIV/AIDS and other people with weakened immune systems have a higher risk of catching tuberculosis than people with typical immune systems."
While tuberculosis is generally treatable with antibiotics, those undergoing treatment may need to continue medication for six to nine months, as reported by KTLA. Health officials explained, "People who have been infected but are not yet sick have what’s called latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). People with LTBI can take medication so that they do not later get sick with active TB disease."
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City officials have sought to reassure the public, stating, "The risk of TB for people who live, work, study or visit in Long Beach remains very low. The Health Department will continue to screen individuals associated with this outbreak and expects the number of cases and contacts to increase."
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