Two cases of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis have been confirmed in Snohomish County.

The Snohomish Health District says both patients live in Snohomish County, both are adults and are being treated at home. Health officers can’t release more specific information due to privacy laws.

“The cases are not related to one another at all – neither by family ties nor by epidemiology,” Suzanne Pate from the Health District told Lynnwood Today.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, multi-drug resistant TB is resistant to at least two of the best anti-TB drugs. It’s more expensive to treat because it requires specialized medication.

Tuberculosis is spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks or sings. It’s not spread through hand-to-hand contact. The CDC says symptoms include feelings of sickness or weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweats.

Snohomish Health District investigates and treats about 25 new cases of TB every year in Snohomish County.