(CNN) A Washington woman who refused isolation or treatment for tuberculosis for more than a year was found Friday in contempt of court.
“Law enforcement has a civil arrest warrant allowing them to detain patients who are still refusing medical care,” the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department said Friday.
Pierce County Superior Court Judge Philip Sorenson signed a contempt order and an involuntary detention, examination and treatment order.
Tuberculosis spreads from person to person through the air, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC says tuberculosis can be fatal if not treated properly.
The woman will be held in Pierce County Jail for up to 45 days for testing and treatment until the public health threat is over, according to court documents.
She did not appear in court on Friday, according to the minutes.
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department said the case was a “rare example” of a patient refusing treatment, and for more than a year it has been working with families and communities to convince women to take their medication.
It is the third time in 20 years that the Tacoma-Pearce County Health Department has sought a court order to detain a potentially contagious patient who is refusing treatment for tuberculosis, according to the agency.
CNN reached out to the woman’s attorney.
CNN’s Catherine Dillinger contributed to this report.
