Man With TB Sought Under Quarantine Order Released Back Into Public

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY (CBS13) - A homeless man infected with Tuberculosis has been released back into the public in San Joaquin County.

Eduardo Rosas Cruz, 26, first came on health officials' radar in March, after he was diagnosed with a severe and contagious strain of TB. According to the court complaint, Cruz he did not comply with treatment, resulting in a quarantine order.

Cruz was released from custody on Friday after he was not assigned a public defender, according to San Joaquin County Asst. Deputy District Attorney Stephen Taylor.

Taylor says the district attorney's office is in contact with the county health department who may or may not know Cruz's location. We reached out to the department for a comment, but have not yet received a response.

"He's been found and then lost, found and lost, found and lost, so at some point we have to say we can't find him anymore," said Dr. Alvaro Garzo of the San Joaquin County Public Health Services.

Cruz tested positive March 14 at San Joaquin General Hospital, but never finished treatment. The bacteria in his lungs could pose a public health risk.

"Eventually without taking the meds, they [bacteria] grow and grow," said Alvaro. "So, if he doesn't take his meds, it can kill him. TB does kill."

Taylor says it is up to the health department to file another, corrected quarantine order.