Tuberculosis Outbreak Confirmed at Cache Creek Casino Resort
The Cache Creek Casino Resort in Yolo County, California has reported a case of contagious tuberculosis (TB) involving an unidentified individual. Authorities, including the casino, Yolo County Health and Human Services, and the California Department of Public Health, are conducting contact tracing to identify and notify those who had close contact with the infected person.
Located about 30 miles west of Sacramento, the casino offers amenities such as 2,300 slot machines, 80 live dealer table games, 659 hotel rooms, a spa and pool complex, an entertainment center, meeting and event space, and an 18-hole golf course.
TB is a contagious bacterial disease that is spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or spits. Symptoms of active TB include weakness, fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, chills, fever, and sweating. More serious symptoms include a cough lasting three weeks or longer, chest pain, and coughing up blood.
Public health measures are being taken to manage the situation. These include active contact tracing by authorities to find and directly notify potentially exposed individuals, public health alerts and communication to raise awareness about symptoms and risks of TB, educating the public on TB transmission, symptoms, and the airborne nature of TB infections, and advising those with potential exposure or symptoms to seek medical evaluation and testing.
It is noted that while most people carry inactive, non-contagious TB infections, active TB is contagious but can be treated effectively with antibiotics. California averages about 2,000 TB cases annually with more than 200 deaths statewide each year. People living with HIV and diabetes, along with those who are malnourished and smoke tobacco, have a higher risk of falling ill from TB.
The notice from the Cache Creek Casino Resort mentions collaboration with public health officials from the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency. Employees and guests who might have been in close contact with the infected patient are being contacted for contact tracing. The casino remains open.
Employees with compromised immune systems or underlying health conditions are encouraged to contact their primary care provider for additional guidance. A Cache Creek Casino Resort spokesperson confirmed that the infected person was not a tribal member.
Not all who become infected with TB will present symptoms, especially healthy adults. TB can be treated and cured. To date, there have been no subsequent positive active TB cases stemming from the Cache Creek Casino Resort incident.
The Cache Creek Casino Resort shared the TB news "out of an abundance of caution." Anyone concerned or with underlying health conditions is encouraged to consult healthcare providers.
