Health officials in Contra Costa County, California are advising that anyone who has spent time in the California Grand Casino in Pacheco in the last five years should get a tuberculosis test. This warning came after 11 cases became public among staff and customers at the poker room, CNN reported November 2.
Contra Costa Health said genetic testing uncovered linked cases among 11 confirmed cases of the highly contagious respiratory disease. Most were associated with the casino. It has reached out to more than 300 people.
TB can remain dormant inside a body for months or years without causing symptoms. But when they appear they include persistent or bloody cough, fever, weight loss, night sweats and fatigue.
Health officer Dr. Meera Sreenivasan said in a statement: “We are making this recommendation now because there is new evidence that TB may have spread among people who spent time at the casino from 2018 to 2023.” She added, “TB can cause serious illness, but it is treatable and curable with medicine, especially when caught early.”
Casino spokesman Becky Warren issued this statement: “Our foremost commitment is to ensure the safety of our customers and employees. According to Contra Costa Health, none of the linked cases are currently contagious, nor do they involve our staff. Additionally, Contra Costa Health has not identified any ongoing sources of transmission at the card room. We are actively collaborating with the county on notifications and testing to uphold public health and safety.”
