Woman who went on the lam with untreated TB is now cured

A woman in Washington state, identified as V.N., has been declared cured of tuberculosis (TB) after evading treatment for over a year, including a three-month period as a fugitive. V.N. had been under court orders to receive treatment since January 2022 but consistently refused, leading to an arrest warrant issued in March 2023. She was finally apprehended in June 2023 and spent 23 days in custody receiving court-ordered treatment. Health officials reported that she has since tested negative for TB multiple times and has regained her health.

During her time on the run, V.N. had a car accident in January 2023, which led to a hospital visit where doctors mistakenly thought she might have cancer due to the poor condition of her lungs, unaware of her TB diagnosis. Tuberculosis is a serious bacterial infection primarily affecting the lungs and can be transmitted through the air. It remains a significant global health issue, with 1.3 million deaths reported in 2022. Treatment typically involves lengthy antibiotic regimens, and V.N.'s case highlights the challenges health officials face in ensuring compliance with treatment orders. After her arrest, V.N. cooperated with health authorities, ultimately recognizing the seriousness of her condition and agreeing to treatment, leading to her recovery.