TB-stricken teen jailed after refusing treatment

Francisco Santos, 17, of Norcross was told by doctors on Friday that he had communicable tuberculosis.

The youth, refusing treatment, attempted to return to his native Mexico, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Santos' citizenship status is unclear.

But Gwinnett Co. health officials feared an incident similar to that of Atlanta lawyer Andrew Speaker, who flew internationally despite the infection. In a legal, but rare act, they jailed Santos in a medical isolation facility where he remains, pending his assenting to treatment, or further legal measures.

County health officials are trying to track down people Santos' came in recent contact with, and are expected to speak publicly about Santos' condition on Monday, according to the newspaper.

A judge is to hold a hearing on the imbroglio on Sept., 5.