CNN —
A Washington state lady who has refused to isolate or get remedy for tuberculosis for greater than a 12 months was present in contempt of courtroom Friday.
“Legislation enforcement has the civil arrest warrant that authorizes them to detain the affected person who continues to be refusing remedy,” the Tacoma-Pierce County Well being Division mentioned Friday.
Pierce County Superior Courtroom Choose Philip Sorenson signed an order of contempt and an order for involuntary detention, testing and remedy.
Tuberculosis is unfold via the air from one individual to a different, in line with the US Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.
If not handled correctly, TB will be deadly, the CDC says.
The lady might be held in Pierce County Jail for as much as 45 days for testing and remedy till she is now not a risk to public well being, courtroom paperwork say
She was not in courtroom Friday, in line with the minutes of the continuing.
TUBERCULOSIS FAST FACTS
The Tacoma-Pierce County Well being Division mentioned this case is a “uncommon occasion” of a affected person refusing care, and that it has labored with the household and neighborhood for greater than a 12 months to steer the girl to take her medicine.
That is the third time in 20 years that the Tacoma-Pierce County Well being Division has sought a courtroom order to detain a doubtlessly contagious affected person refusing remedy for TB, in line with the division.
CNN has reached out to the girl’s lawyer.
