Pierce County Woman Cured After Refusing TB Treatment

Photo byWashington State Department of Health

A Pierce County Woman who refused treatment for tuberculosis has been cured, the Washington State Department of Health reported on Monday.

Per a court order last summer, the woman was quarantined in a clinic inside Pierce County Jail after both her family and DOH staff spent a year attempting to persuade her to isolate and seek treatment.

Tuberculosis is contagious and can be fatal, but can be cured with medication, the DOH reports.

Under state law, the DOH is dutybound to curb the spread of tuberculosis and can force a patient into treatment in the event they are endangering community health.

"Seeking a court order is our last resort after we exhaust all other options. It’s a difficult process that takes a lot of time and coordination with other agencies," DOH leaders said in a press release. "The situation last year was just the third time in 20 years the Health Department had to seek a court order."

DOH officials report that the woman has tested negative for tuberculosis multiple times and is in good health. She and her family both gave the go-ahead to the department to announce this news, according to the DOH.