Suspected Tuberculosis Case Reported in Oregon State Penitentiary

Salem, Oregon- The Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) announced on Friday, August 16th, that a case of tuberculosis (TB) is suspected in an individual under their custody at the Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP). The affected individual, who has been in custody for approximately four months, is currently isolated and undergoing further testing.

Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs and can spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or sings. While serious, TB is treatable with proper medical care.

DOC Director Mike Reese addressed concerns regarding the situation, stating, “We understand that this news is concerning, but we are taking every necessary step to manage this situation effectively. Our priority is to safeguard the health and safety of everyone in our care—staff and incarcerated individuals alike.”

The DOC is collaborating with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to implement a plan that includes isolation, infection control, testing, contact tracing, and medical evaluation protocols. These measures aim to support the affected individual and protect other staff and AICs.

Upon identifying the potential TB case, the AIC was transported from OSP to Salem Memorial Hospital for testing.

Following the tests, the individual will be moved to Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF), where they will be held in a negative pressure cell in the infirmary. The final test results are expected within two weeks.