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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 8:20 p.m., Thursday, November 15, 2007

Wahiawa man with TB ordered quarantined

Advertiser Staff

A 51-year-old man with non-drug-resistant tuberculosis was arrested today by police at a Whitmore Village residence and taken to Leahi Hospital, where he is under court-ordered quarantine.

Armenio Teodoro is not a threat to public safety if he takes his tuberculosis medication but the state Health Department was forced to have him quarantined because he isn't taking medication.

"We can't force him to take his medication; all we can do is isolate him with hopes he'll take his medication," said Dr. Jessie Wing, head of the Health Department's Tuberculosis Control Branch.

"We are trying to protect public health," Wing added.

Wing recalls only one other time in the last eight years when the state has had to pursue quarantine action against an individual.

"This (action) is rare; most patients comply," Wing said.

Teodoro came to the Health Department's attention in July during routine screening for tuberculosis at the O'ahu Intake Center, said Wing.

Hawai'i Criminal Justice Data Center records show Teodoro was convicted of misdemeanor third-degree assault and sentenced on Aug. 16 to two days confinement and one year probation.

After he was found to have active TB, Teodoro was sent to Leahi Hospital for three weeks. He was discharged Aug. 20.

Teodoro fell through the cracks following his release, said Wing.

While doing follow-ups in August, the Health Department learned Teodoro was not taking his medication, had skipped meetings with his probation officer, and was allegedly hanging around a known drug house.

A social worker found him to be "agitated and confrontational" in August, said Wing.

Teodoro's family has been cooperating with health officials, Wing added.