TB Alert: A Serious Health Concern at Regency Newcastle
Public Health – Seattle & King County is taking swift action following the confirmation of an active tuberculosis (TB) case linked to the Regency Senior Living community in Newcastle. This news has sparked concern and prompted a thorough investigation to assess the potential spread of TB within the facility.
TB: A Complex and Misunderstood Disease
Tuberculosis, often referred to as TB, is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that spread through the air. However, contrary to popular belief, TB is not easily transmitted. It requires prolonged and repeated exposure in confined indoor spaces, making it less contagious than COVID-19, colds, or flu.
Even in households with a contagious TB patient, only about a third of close household members become infected. This highlights the importance of understanding the nuances of TB transmission.
Evaluating the Regency Newcastle Situation
As a precautionary measure, Public Health has recommended that 28 individuals associated with the facility undergo TB evaluations. This decision is based on the duration of their exposure to the person with active TB in indoor settings.
The facility is directly contacting those who need TB assessments, which involve a medical risk assessment and a TB test. All staff, patients, and their families are being informed this week, regardless of their level of exposure.
Supporting Those Affected
For individuals found to have latent TB infection, Public Health will provide assistance in accessing treatment. This treatment, which typically lasts three to four months, aims to kill the TB germs and prevent the development of active TB disease in the future.
The person with active TB disease is currently undergoing treatment. Most cases of active TB are treatable with commonly available antibiotics, and the treatment duration is usually six to nine months.
Active TB vs. Latent TB Infection
It's crucial to distinguish between active TB disease and latent (or dormant) TB infection. People with latent TB infection cannot spread the disease to others and are not currently ill. In King County, approximately 100,000 individuals have latent TB infection.
While they are not contagious now, there is a risk of developing active TB in the future, which could lead to the infection of others. About five percent of those with latent TB infection develop active TB within two years, and an additional five percent develop it over their lifetime.
Understanding TB and Its Impact
TB primarily affects the lungs but can also impact lymph nodes, bones, joints, and other body parts. A person with active TB in the lungs can spread the disease through coughing or sneezing. In King County, 110 new cases of TB disease were reported in 2024, with an average of about two cases diagnosed each week.
For more information on TB signs, symptoms, and transmission, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's TB website.
The Role of Public Health Programs
Public Health – Seattle & King County's TB Control Program plays a vital role in controlling the spread of TB. By ensuring that people with active TB are diagnosed and cured, and that those at highest risk of infection are screened, the program prevents outbreaks and the development of multi-drug resistant TB, which can be costly to treat.
TB is a global health threat, causing over two million deaths annually, primarily in regions without access to effective treatment and control programs like those available in the United States.
This story was originally published on November 4, 2025.
