Updated Mar 28, 2011 - 2:53 pm

Health Department detains tuberculosis patient

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Source: Seattle News
Originally published: Sep 3, 2010 - 1:56 pm

BY ALEX SILVERMAN
KIRO Radio

The Seattle-King County Health Department has detained a tuberculosis patient who failed to take required medication.

According to Dr. Masa Narita, director of the department's Tuberculosis Control Program, it is only the second time since 1986 the department has sought a court order to hold a patient who resisted treatment.

The department paid for a motel room and groceries for the patient for a month in order to shield the public from potential exposure and encourage compliance, Narita said. However, the patient missed appointments and treatments due to drug and alcohol use.

The detention will expire Tuesday; the department may then ask King County Superior Court for an extension which would allow it to hold the patient for 45 days.

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