Woman with tuberculosis will be forcibly drugged, quarantined, judge rules - Daily Mail

'The Local Health Officer seeks an order requiring (the patient) to isolate in her residence, cooperate with testing and treatment as recommended by medical providers,' court documents read.

The order is possible under a law passed by state officials in the 1990s, allowing the courts to step in when they deem refusal of treatment a public health risk.

It comes amid fears that once-eradicated diseases such as polio and measles will make a return this year as anti-vaxx sentiment and distrust in doctors grows in America.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns tuberculosis cases increased during the Covid pandemic - reversing a downward trend from the early 90s.

Laws allowing the courts to order a person to stay home or isolate from others after they are deemed a public health risk are on the books in 38 US states, including the three of the most populous in California, Texas and New York (red)

They could petition for the woman to be forced into quarantine because of state laws in Washington, which allow for these measures to be taken in cases deemed a public health risk.