California Officials Issue Arrest Warrant for Tuberculosis Patient
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iStock/Thinkstock(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) — Officials in Santa Barbara, California, are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a 24-year-old man who poses a “serious health risk” to the public.
Law enforcement issued an arrest warrant for Agustin Zeferino, who has a contagious case of tuberculosis.
Zeferino is a threat to those who come in close contact with him, officials said in a statement Friday.
The warrant comes after he received “extensive information and medical consultation about his health condition,” but still discontinued treatment.
“With appropriate treatment tuberculosis can be cured. Without treatment, it is often fatal and poses a public health threat due to airborne transmission,” said Health Officer Dr. Charity Thoman. “This is particularly true for drug-resistant cases. If Mr. Zeferino is contagious and he is out in our community, it is a public health emergency.”
Individuals with information on Zeferino are asked to contact local law enforcement and avoid close contact.
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