City of Long Beach

Southern California city declares public health emergency amid tuberculosis outbreak

May 9, 2024

On May 7, the Long Beach City Council authorized a public health emergency in response to a localized tuberculosis outbreak. The authorization follows the City Council's local public health emergency declaration on May 2 after 14 cases of TB were detected and linked to a single-room occupancy hotel.

To date, nine people have been hospitalized and one person has died. The Health Department’s TB Control Program staff have identified approximately 170 people who have likely been exposed to TB, but no new cases have been reported since last week. According to the city’s press release, the health department has contacted or will contact anyone staying at the hotel who could have been exposed.

The outbreak has been isolated to a distinct population with significant barriers to care, including homelessness and housing insecurity, mental illness, substance use, and serious medical comorbidities. The risk to the general public remains low.

The Long Beach outbreak was reported amid a rise in U.S. tuberculosis cases, which have increased since 2020 after nearly three decades of declining rates.

Sources:

Bendix, A. (2024, May 7). NBC News. California city declares a public health emergency after tuberculosis sickens 14. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/tuberculosis-outbreak-california-city-health-emergency-rcna150881

Epstein, J. (2024, May 2). City of Long Beach. Official City of Long Beach Statement Regarding Public Health Emergency in Response to Local Tuberculosis Outbreak; Risk to Population at Large Remains Low. [Press release #050224-2). https://longbeach.gov/press-releases/official-city-of-long-beach-statement-regarding-public-health-emergency-in-response-to-local-tuberculosis-outbreak-risk-to-population-at-large-remains-low/