Washington woman with Tuberculosis could be arrested Friday if she continues to refuse treatment

"In a rare move by the Washington health department, a woman with tuberculosis in Tacoma could be arrested on Friday if she continues to refuse treatment.

A judge issued an arrest warrant for the woman who is refusing treatment last week, FOX 13 Seattle originally reported. While tuberculosis is not easily transmitted, it is considered a serious enough threat to the public that the health department has the legal authority to seek a court order to get patients into treatment, though this is rarely used.

Only three times in the last 20 years has the health department had to resort to legal action.

TB is treatable with medication, but if left untreated, it is fatal. According to the health department, people with active, untreated infections are contagious and pose a risk to others...."