An arrest warrant has been issued in Washington state for a woman who repeatedly refused to isolate herself or receive treatment for her tuberculosis for more than a year, according to a report in The Washington Post. The woman’s name has been withheld from health officials and was identified in court documents with the initials VN. Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that spreads to anyone in close contact with a patient, such as family members or friends. It is considered potentially deadly.

“We worked with family and community members for over a year to do everything we could to convince this woman to take her medication to protect herself and our community,” said Nigel Turner, director of disease control for Tacoma-Pierce County Health. Department, in a statement according to the After report.

Since the warrant was issued, law enforcement has been able to transport the woman to a Pierce County facility for isolation, testing and treatment.

When issuing the arrest warrant, the judge said those transporting the woman should be aware that they will be with a patient with active tuberculosis and take appropriate precautions.

It’s not clear why the woman has refused to self-isolate or receive treatment, the Washington Post said further.

However, her lawyer Sarah Tofflemire claimed in a filing on Wednesday that the woman refused treatment because she does not understand what is going on. NBC news.

“She has not acknowledged the existence of her own medical condition… she has focused primarily on how she resents papers coming to her house, and not the importance of the process she is in is located,” said Ms Tofflemire.

Tuberculosis treatment takes three to nine months, according to Centers for Disease Control (CDC).