An arrest warrant has been issued for a Prince George, B.C., woman who has allegedly failed to take her medication for tuberculosis.
The Prince George medical health officer, Dr. William Osei, says the woman, Freda Lynn Evans, was officially ordered to complete her treatment but did not comply.
Osei said the Evans, 53, is now a walking health hazard.
“She’s a danger to the public," Osei said, “She can transfer the tuberculosis to you or to anyone.”
Once police find the woman, she'll be detained in a special TB treatment facility at the Prince George Regional Correctional Centre, Osei said.
Tuberculosis, a bacterial infection of the lungs, is easily spread and potentially fatal.
Canada's revised Public Health Act gives medical health officers the power to seek a judge’s permission to detain patients and force them to accept treatment.
Osei said it’s the first time such an order has been issued in B.C.
Two detention orders were previously issued in Ontario.
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2011/11/04/bc-tuberculosis-arrest-warrant.html