Los Angeles is fearing a spread of the deadly disease known as Tuberculosis. Health workers have reportedly identified about 4,650 people who were most likely exposed to the contagious TB on skid row in downtown LA. In 2011, the US saw about 10,528 cases with 529 deaths three years prior in 2009.
According to www.cdc.gov, TB is a disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.
Mabel Aragon, a spokeswoman for the county health department, said on Friday that the agency was still trying to confirm the number and type of cases.
