Investigation into Tuberculosis Cases in San Francisco Club
Health officials in San Francisco are currently looking into two active cases of tuberculosis associated with the Crazy Horse, a well-known strip club located on Market Street.
In a recent statement, they mentioned, “These efforts are ongoing and, at this time, the risk to the general public is low. If this status changes, we will let the public know.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only individuals with active tuberculosis of the lungs or throat are capable of spreading the bacteria through the air. The bacteria can remain suspended in the air for several hours, depending on various environmental factors.
Tuberculosis, often referred to as TB, is caused by airborne bacteria. Generally, transmission requires prolonged exposure to someone who has active tuberculosis, and the risk is higher in crowded indoor settings with inadequate ventilation.
San Francisco’s investigation is aimed at identifying those who might have had enough exposure to the infected individuals to necessitate testing or follow-up. It’s worth noting that TB bacteria grow slowly, making it possible for someone who has been recently exposed to initially test negative but test positive later. Therefore, repeat testing may be necessary several weeks after the first test.
TB infections can be either latent or active. Individuals with latent TB carry the bacteria but display no symptoms and cannot transmit the disease. In contrast, active TB disease may present symptoms such as a persistent cough, chest pain, coughing up blood or sputum, fatigue, weight loss, fever, and night sweats, according to the CDC.
Individuals who suspect they may have been exposed to active TB are encouraged to reach out to a healthcare provider or the local health department for testing, as recommended by the CDC.
The California Department of Public Health reported 2,150 cases of tuberculosis in the state for 2025, marking the highest number since 2013. This translates to a rate of 5.4 cases per 100,000 people, in contrast to the national rate of 3.
It’s important to emphasize that without appropriate treatment, active tuberculosis can be life-threatening, as stated by the CDC.
