Despite the localized outbreak, city officials assert the risk to the general Long Beach population remains minimal

\A significant outbreak of tuberculosis in Long Beach, California, has led city health officials to declare a public health emergency. Dr. Anissa Davis, the City Health Officer, announced the declaration on Thursday, with the Long Beach City Council set to review the situation for ratification coming Tuesday.

Approximately 170 individuals are believed to have been exposed to the tuberculosis bacteria, stemming from several cases linked to a single room occupancy hotel in the area. To date, 14 people have been confirmed as infected, with nine requiring hospitalization and one fatality reported. The identity of the hotel has been withheld to maintain privacy and comply with health regulations.

Despite the severity of the outbreak among the hotel’s occupants, city officials maintain that the risk to the wider Long Beach community is very low. The health department is actively working to mitigate the situation, primarily focusing on a subset of the population facing numerous challenges, including homelessness, mental health issues, and substance abuse, which increase their vulnerability to the disease.

In response to the outbreak, extensive efforts are underway to screen and treat those at risk. The emergency declaration will expedite the process of securing necessary resources and implementing measures to control the spread of the infection. This includes conducting detailed screenings using symptoms assessments, blood tests, skin tests, and chest X-rays to identify infected individuals.

Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that typically affects the lungs and is characterized by severe coughing, chest pain, and the coughing up of blood or mucus. It is treatable with a standard regimen of antibacterial medications, emphasizing the importance of completing the full course of treatment to effectively cure the disease.

The rise in tuberculosis cases in Long Beach mirrors a nationwide trend observed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). After a significant decline in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, TB cases in the United States are returning to pre-pandemic levels. This resurgence highlights the ongoing need for vigilant public health measures to prevent and treat infectious diseases effectively.