Police nab TB patient who skipped treatment, vanished

STOCKTON, Calif. — A man who disappeared after refusing treatment for tuberculosis and identified as a health risk to the public was arrested Tuesday.

Eduardo Rosas Cruz, who was wanted by Stockton police for failing to comply with health officers to treat his tuberculosis, was arrested by the Kern County Sheriff's Department.

Authorities last week obtained an arrest warrant for Cruz, 25, saying he was diagnosed with tuberculosis in March after going to San Joaquin General Hospital's emergency room with a severe cough.

According to authorities, Cruz did not comply with medical orders to take treatment. Tuberculosis is a common but infectious disease that can be fatal if not treated properly.

Cruz was booked on a misdemeanor charge of violating a health and safety order. His bail was set to $100,000.

After his diagnosis in March, medical staff at the hospital told him to stay in a Stockton motel room, where a health worker would deliver his medication and watch him take it. But he left, officials said.

The criminal complaint charges Cruz with one misdemeanor count of refusing to comply with a tuberculosis order.

Cruz is a transient and comes from an area of Mexico known for a drug-resistant strain of TB, authorities said.

During his disappearance, health officials grew concerned about the health risk to the public.

"His disease may grow again and he may become contagious. Right now, we don't know if he is or not contagious because we haven't been able to find him," said Dr. Alvaro Garza, San Joaquin County public health director.

"If he doesn't want the treatment, we can't force the treatment but we can force that he's not with other people to infect them."

Cruz could face up to one year in prison for failing to comply with health officers.

Two years ago, Armando Rodriguez was arrested for skipping out on his TB treatment. Officials say they see cases like this happen once or twice a year.

So far this year, there have been 22 new reported cases of TB in San Joaquin County. Most of the patients are in compliance with their treatment.

Tuberculosis is a common but infectious disease that can be fatal if not treated properly.

Cruz was last living at the Capri Motel in Stockton. Management would not disclose any information on Cruz but several tenants there knew him and knew of his illness.

"He looked young. He was a small guy," tenant Angelina Hernandez said. She would wave hi to Cruz but never got close to him because she heard he was sick.

"All of a sudden, he just disappeared," Hernandez said.

Contributing: The Associated Press