The active tuberculosis case of an American woman is the scene of interesting developments. The woman reportedly refused treatment for over a year and failed to comply with multiple court orders to remain isolated from others. The health ministry said it could take legal action against the woman if she continued to disobey the order, which could include her detention in a local prison.
Tuberculosis is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Many people infected with tuberculosis bacteria do not get sick, and often the infection goes into a latent state where bacteria levels remain low and people are not sick or infecting others. However, if left untreated, the infection can recur and can be life-threatening, especially in people with weakened immune systems. Active tuberculosis typically affects the lungs, causing respiratory symptoms, but the infection can also spread to other parts of the body.
According to court records reviewed by local media, the health department first received a court order against the woman who refused antibiotic treatment on January 18, 2022 last year. The court order required the woman to be involuntarily isolated at home (other than necessary medical care) until tests confirmed she was no longer a public health threat. Authorities claimed in their defense that the woman had started but did not finish the treatment and was unwilling to continue the treatment or to self-isolate.
Tuberculosis is treatable, but it may take between four and nine months to take antibiotics to completely eliminate the infection. A small but significant proportion of cases are caused by drug-resistant TB bacteria, which are even more difficult to treat successfully. A major risk factor for the emergence of this strain is people who do not complete treatment, which may allow some bacteria to survive and develop resistance to frontline drugs.
According to The News Tribune, the court said in a decision that same month that if the woman continued to disobey these isolation orders, she could be found guilty of disobedience. This would open up the possibility of stricter measures, ranging from electronic home monitoring to detention in the county jail. And the health ministry appears prepared to go this far if necessary, though not until all other alternatives have been exhausted.
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