Microbiology Testing Services

Huntington Beach, California, June 14, 2024

Last month, a local public health emergency was declared by city officials in Long Beach, California. The declaration followed an outbreak of tuberculosis (TB) at a hotel in the city, where as of late April, 14 cases of TB disease had been associated with the outbreak. This included 9 people that had to be hospitalized and 1 person that died.

According to a City of Long Beach press release:

Through the course of this investigation, staff have identified approximately 170 people who have likely been exposed to TB. Health Department staff are in the process of screening contacts for TB via symptom review, blood or skin test and a chest x-ray. The Health Department will continue to screen individuals associated with this outbreak and expects the number of cases and contacts to increase. Those who are found to have active TB disease or latent TB infection will be provided treatment. The level of attention needed to contain the outbreak is well beyond the scope of the Department’s day-to-day work. 

TB is caused by a bacterium known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis that typically attacks the lungs, but can also attack other parts of the body. The disease can be spread from a person with the disease of the lungs or throat through the air from one person to another when they cough, sneeze, speak or sing. This occurs when people nearby breathe in the bacteria and then become infected, which is why transmission can be a significant risk in healthcare environments and other places where many people share the same space for extended periods of time.

“As recently as 2022, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reported 1,848 new cases of TB in the state, a 5% increase compared to the year before,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “TB cases were recorded in 45 of California’s 61 local health jurisdictions that year and CDPH estimates that more than 2 million Californians have latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI).”

LA Testing’s network of laboratories can help to stop the spread of TB by detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Their laboratories offer highly sensitive real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) techniques to identify the bacteria from air samples collected on special filter cassettes. These testing resources can be essential for assessing infection control procedures in healthcare environments and other indoor locations with vulnerable populations.

To learn more about environmental testing for Mycobacterium tuberculosis or other pathogens, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. 

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for environmental and indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, bacteria, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.