Woman with TB arrested in Maysville

A woman with tuberculosis was arrested in Maysville on Wednesday and is in the Oconee County jail awaiting a hearing next week.

After receiving a tip of her whereabouts, Reba Rene Hicks, 53, was apprehended by Oconee County sheriff’s deputies after she was found hiding in a wooded area off Edwin Reynolds Road. She is being held on a charge of reckless conduct due to her intentionally avoiding treatment for the tuberculosis. Oconee County Superior Court Judge Lawton Stephens issued an order for her arrest on Tuesday.

Hicks was in Maysville because she has family there, Oconee County Sheriff Scott Berry said Thursday. Berry said he and the other deputies were wearing masks during the incident. They put a mask on Hicks as soon as they apprehended her, said Berry. A Jackson County deputy was also involved in the search.

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Facebook has further information on the case. It states that the nearest unit for Hicks to be medically housed in is in South Carolina as Georgia does not current have any bed space for her.

Until then, Hicks has a court hearing coming up next week at the jail. She is in medical isolation at the jail and is not subject to exposing any other inmate.

As for an incident involving tuberculosis, Berry said it was the first of its kind that he had encountered.

Comments

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#1 Ridiculous on 08/23/12 at 11:19 AM [Reply]

I live in Maysville, and I have small children, she's just running around with TB endangering everyone around her... her family should be ashamed of themselves.

#2 Joe Christmas on 08/23/12 at 02:28 PM [Reply]

Why would anybody intentionally avoid treatment for tuberculosis? This is one of those stories that needs a followup report.

#2.1 anon on 08/23/12 at 04:40 PM [Reply]

I'd guess it's because often times those infected with TB don't show symptoms, while one of the medications used in treatment can be dangerous if one consumes alcohol.

Just a guess.

#3 Michael McCarthy on 08/25/12 at 02:12 PM [Reply]

TB is contagious but you almost have to live with someone to get it. Even people who live with someone with TB will not necessarily contract it. That being said, the arrest is necessary for public health. The article says the inmate is no danger to other inmates. I find that very hard to believe as the only way that could be is if she is isolated in a "negative pressure room" that takes the air in the cell and constantly vents it directly to the outside. Otherwise everyone in the facility is exposed.

How do I know this? I am a registered respiratory therapist.

#3.1 anon on 08/26/12 at 11:15 AM [Reply]

According to the OCSD facebook page, they are using N95 masks and have a negative pressure room. Probably a regular room with a portable negative pressure unit.

#3.1.1 Michael McCarthy on 08/26/12 at 11:28 AM [Reply]

If this is the case the jail is state-of-the-art. I'd be surprised if they really do it right. But maybe I'm pleasantly surprised.

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Woman with TB arrested in Maysville

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Woman with TB arrested in Maysville

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