Tuberculosis ( Tb ) Is A Communicable Disease

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Recommended: treatment for tuberculosis across the world

Introduction
Tuberculosis (TB) is a notifiable communicable disease that requires immediate reporting and in 2006, the state of Maine received information about a homeless man with single drug resistant TB. The man had been diagnosed with TB in another state and has not completed treatment. This led to the exposure of over 100 people at the county jail and a homeless shelter, with 6 confirmed cases. The man was in the hospital for 2 months for treatment, education, and finding a place where he could continue the 6-month treatment. He notified the hospital that he would not continue treatment after getting discharged. To avoid further drug resistance, public health officials requested a court order compel treatment. He admitted to a long-term facility for treatment, however after 8 days, he left the facility. This prompted a arrest warrant and once he was arrested he was subsequently ordered to a secure setting outside of Maine at the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital Tuberculosis Treatment Unit in Boston Massachusetts to complete treatment.1
Discussion
Maine Laws that Permit Public Health Officials to Take Actions
There are regulations and several statutes that allow Maine public health officials to take this action. The first statute is the §802 - Authority Of Department, Subsection 2- Health Emergency where it states that if there is a public health threat the department “may adopt emergency rules for the protection of the public health”, and this includes the isolation of infected individuals for treatment, care, and infection control.2 Maine CDC Chapter 258, Section 6 - Duties of Health Care Providers and Attendants states that those attending a case of a notifiable disease must report a non-compliant person for necessary in...

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...blic health professionals can adopt step-wise medical treatment to protect the public’s health and strategize when there is non-compliance. As with Jacobson v. Massachusetts, the state used its police power to protect the public from risk of harm. In the case United States v. Shinnick, Ellen Siegel the State did not have proof that Ms. Siegel was exposed or had any symptoms, however the testimony and concerns of the medical community was enough to warrant the imposed isolation.
The role of the state is to protect its citizen. This also means protecting those who are at risk and are vulnerable by providing the best care in their best interest, and the interest of the general public. Quarantine and isolations should only be used when necessary due to non-compliance and in the least restrictive way possible protecting individual’s rights while keeping citizens safe.

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