Officials declared a "health emergency" in Long Beach on Thursday (May 2) after a number of individuals were hospitalized for tuberculosis (also referred to as TB). According to KTLA, the outbreak was spread by "a group of people who stayed together at a Long Beach hotel room." Nine people were hospitalized as a result of the illness and one person passed away.
A total of 14 cases are associated with this particular TB outbreak though officials believe that 170 have already been "exposed to the illness." Investigations are currently underway to determine the identity of those at the hotel at the same time as the infected individuals.
Tuberculosis, as explained by the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is caused by a bacteria that primarily affects the lungs but can also negatively impact the kidney, spine, and brain. The illness is spread when infected individuals cough, speak, or sneeze into the air.
Long Beach health officials noted that people with compromised immune systems have a greater risk of contracting the illness.
“Tuberculosis spreads easily where people gather in crowds or where people live in crowded conditions. People with HIV/AIDS and other people with weakened immune systems have a higher risk of catching tuberculosis than people with typical immune systems.”
For more information on how to avoid getting TB and what to do if you exhibit symptoms, visit cdc.gov.