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Tuberculosis occupies Occupy protesters

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At least two people infected, one with drug resistant strain.

As the weather grows cold, Occupy protesters have started to huddle together inside tent encampments across the country. The close quarters and poor sanitation are now threatening the outbreak of disease.

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By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
11/14/2011 (1 decade ago)

Published in Health

Keywords: Tuberculosis, Atlanta, camp, sanitation, disease

ATLANTA, GA (Catholic Online) - Already, tuberculosis has been found at the occupy Atlanta camp. Officials from the Fulton County Health Department confirmed last Wednesday that residents at the homeless shelter where the protesters have taken refuge, have contracted a drug-resistant strain of tuberculosis. They are warning that homeless persons and protesters occupying the shelter are at risk, since the disease is airborne.

Fulton County Services Director, Matthew McKenna said in a written statement, "Over the last three months there have been two persons who have resided in this facility who have been diagnosed with confirmed or suspected infectious tuberculosis. One of these persons was confirmed to have a strain of TB that is resistant to a single standard medication used to treat this condition. All persons identified as positive have begun treatment and are being monitored to ensure that medication is taken as directed."

Atlanta's Task Force for the Homeless has notified the Occupy protesters of the outbreak, although the identities of the victims have not been released.

The situation is becoming both dangerous and tense as the news could force the protesters to move once more. The protesters moved into the homeless shelter on October 30, after Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed evicted them from downtown's Woodruff Park, telling them that they could no longer camp there overnight. Now the protesters and the homeless shelter are in jeopardy of eviction.

Occupy Atlanta has indicated through their spokesperson, Tim Fraser and, that despite the reports, they still have no intention of relocating at this time.

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