Police in North California have issued a arrest warrant for Eduardo Rosas Cruz, a homeless man who was diagnosed with TB earlier this week, but refused treatment. According to reports, the warrant was issued because police fear that the particular strain of TB which Cruz was diagnosed with may be highly contagious. Because of this, it is thought that he is a potential threat to others.
Cruz was diagnosed with TB back in March at the San Jaoquin General Hospital complaining of a severe cough, high fever and a shortness of breath. After he was diagnosed, he was told to stay in a particular motel, where medication would be delivered, and a nurse would watch him take it.
However, once he left the hospital, he was never seen by the hospital staff again. Medical officials then asked prosecutors to issue a warrant for Cruz’s arrest, as he is currently considered as on the run, and he can be seen as a threat to public safety. It has also been reported that he is from a part of Mexico that is known for its drug-resistant strain of TB.
Medical officials have also said that he is a drug user who is known for abusing Crack Cocaine and Methamphetamines, which not only intensify the onset of TB, but are also known for developing the disease into a drug resistant form if the users TB hasn’t already developed into a drug resistant strain.
San Joaquin County Deputy District Attorney Stephen Taylor told BBC News that:
“We’re interested in this guy because he broke the orders of the health officer. He could be in a homeless shelter. He could be around the corner from the courthouse. We don’t know.”
According to some reports, over nine million people were infected with TB in 2012, which resulted in over one million deaths.
Deborah Campbell
