Print Print    Close Close

Washington woman with tuberculosis arrested, jailed after refusing to isolate: 'Necessary intervention'

By Jon Brown

Published June 05, 2023

Fox News
Dr. Marc Siegel warns of health issues caused by Florida seaweed Video

A Washington state woman with tuberculosis has been arrested and jailed after refusing to isolate.

The unidentified Tacoma woman – who was referred to only as "VN" in court documents – was taken to the Pierce County jail and is being kept in a room specially equipped for isolation, testing and treatment, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department said in a statement this week.

"We are hopeful she will choose to get the life-saving treatment she needs to treat her tuberculosis," the health department said, and thanked the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department deputies "who supported public health with this necessary intervention."

WOMAN WITH TUBERCULOSIS FACES JAIL AND FORCED TREATMENT AFTER SHE REFUSED ISOLATION AND VISITED A CASINO

Tuberculosis X-ray

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department said they hope the woman "will choose to get the life-saving treatment she needs to treat her tuberculosis." (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

The woman's arrest comes after the public health department first ordered her to isolate on Jan. 18, according to the Tacoma News Tribune.

According to court documents, the woman refused to isolate or be treated, and an officer with the Pierce County Corrections Bureau caught her taking a public bus to a casino while she was under surveillance.

In March, Judge Philip Sorenson authorized law enforcement to detain her, issuing a warrant permitting the woman's involuntary detention, testing and treatment at the Pierce County jail.

REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS QUESTION BOSTON UNIVERSITY ON RESEARCH CREATING NEW COVID-19 STRAIN

Tuberculosis bacillus

An image of tuberculosis bacillus that causes the serious airborne disease. (iStock)

Pierce County Corrections Bureau Chief Patricia Jackson said at the time that she believed the woman was actively evading arrest.

The woman's case marks only the third time in the past 20 years that the health department sought a court order to detain a potentially contagious individual who is refusing treatment.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department sees about 20 cases of active tuberculosis every year, which health care providers are required to report under state law.

World Health Organization logo

Common symptoms of tuberculosis include cough, fever, night sweats and weight loss, according to the World Health Organization. (Reuters/Denis Balibouse)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Tuberculosis is an airborne disease caused by bacteria that primarily affect the lungs. Common symptoms include cough, fever, night sweats and weight loss, according to the World Health Organization.

Jon Brown is a writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to jon.brown@fox.com.

Print Print    Close Close

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/us/washington-woman-tuberculosis-arrested-after-refusing-isolate-necessary-intervention

  • Home
  • Video
  • Politics
  • U.S.
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Tech
  • Science
  • Health
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • World
  • Sports
  • Weather
  • Privacy
  • Terms

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. © FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper.Do Not Sell my Personal Information - New Terms of Use - FAQ