April 26, 2024

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Will people be arrested if refusing treatment after contracting tuberculosis?

Will people be arrested if refusing treatment after contracting tuberculosis?



 

Will people be arrested if refusing treatment after contracting tuberculosis?

Tacoma woman arrested and jailed after refusing treatment and self-quarantining for a year after contracting tuberculosis.


On Thursday, June 1, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office arrested a woman who neither received treatment nor self-quarantined for up to a year after contracting tuberculosis, culminating in 17 consecutive court orders after the injunction. The police arrested him and sent him to prison for treatment.

 

According to the Pierce County Police, the Pierce County Jail has special negative pressure cells and wards, because tuberculosis is a common disease in prisons, and these facilities are adequately equipped.

 

Court documents show the woman ignored 17 court orders over a year requiring her to stay home and self-isolate. The police responsible for investigating her whereabouts found that she often took the bus and went to the casino to play. At the same time, the woman’s family also refused to cooperate with the police and health authorities, neither helping her self-isolate nor providing authorities with her whereabouts.

 

In the end, the Pierce County Health Department had to apply to a judge for a civil arrest warrant, arrest him, send him to prison for isolation and treatment.

 

Will people be arrested if refusing treatment after contracting tuberculosis?

 

Pierce County health officials said that treatment for TB usually takes three to nine months, during which time patients are contagious to some degree.

Like this Tacoma woman, patients who end treatment prematurely are not only prone to develop drug resistance themselves, but also cause infection in those they come into contact with. Germs are spread through the air by talking and coughing.

 

Such cases of patients refusing treatment and quarantining are rare, officials said. This is the third time in more than 20 years that the Pierce County Health Department has had to resort to arrests for mandatory isolation and treatment of TB patients.

 

Under Washington state law, health officials have the authority to seek court orders requiring patients to comply with therapeutic hold and isolation.

 

 


Will people be arrested if refusing treatment after contracting tuberculosis?

In the United States, the approach to tuberculosis (TB) control generally focuses on public health measures rather than criminalizing individuals who refuse treatment.

TB is a contagious disease, and public health officials have the authority to take steps to prevent its spread. They may use various strategies, such as directly observed therapy (DOT), to ensure that individuals complete their treatment.

 

If someone is diagnosed with active tuberculosis and refuses treatment, public health officials may take steps to protect public health.

 

This can include issuing an order of isolation or quarantine to limit the person’s contact with others and prevent the spread of the disease.

In some cases, a court order may be obtained to enforce isolation or treatment.

However, it’s important to note that the approach to TB control can vary by state, and laws and regulations can differ.

It’s recommended to consult with local public health authorities or legal professionals for specific information on TB control measures and the potential consequences of refusing treatment in your jurisdiction.

 

 

 

 

Will people be arrested if refusing treatment after contracting tuberculosis?

 

(source:internet, reference only)


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