With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate Los Angeles tuberculosis outbreak
Volunteers go out to conduct surveys during the homeless count in Downtown Los Angeles on January 30, 2013.
(
Hayley Fox
)
Local and federal public health officials say they're trying to contain a persistent outbreak of tuberculosis and are searching for more than 4,600 people on Los Angeles' Skid Row who may have been exposed to the disease.
The Los Angeles Times reports that nearly 80 tuberculosis cases have been identified and 11 deaths have been recorded since 2007. Most of the victims were homeless people living on downtown streets.
County health chief Dr. Jonathan Fielding says the outbreak is the largest in a decade. The outbreak has been linked to one tuberculosis strain that is unique to L.A.
Homeless people are at higher risk of contracting tuberculosis because of poor hygiene and ongoing contact with infected people.
Sponsored message
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has dispatched scientists to help local health officials curb the spread of the disease.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
