800 Incarcerated Individuals in Washington Face 'Large' TB Outbreak

A "large" tuberculosis (TB) outbreak in the Washington state prison system may have affected over 800 people who were incarcerated and later released, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. Since July 2021, 28 active TB cases have been identified, with over 2,900 potentially exposed contacts. However, more than 800 individuals were released before being notified or tested for TB. The health department has urged healthcare providers to inquire about TB exposure risk factors and recommended clinical evaluations and chest x-rays for those who test positive. TB disproportionately affects vulnerable populations in Washington, with an estimated 200,000 people infected in the state. Globally, TB remains a preventable and curable disease but claims 1.5 million lives annually.