Two new unrelated cases of active tuberculosis that may have exposed others have been reported locally at Sweetwater High School and Serra High School, according to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency.
The possible exposure to TB at Sweetwater High School occurred between July 20 and Oct. 25. The school is located at 2900 Highland Avenue, San Diego. HHSA is working with school officials to notify individuals that may have been exposed and is offering no cost testing to students and staff on Tuesday, Nov. 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Sweetwater High School.
HHSA is also working with Serra High School officials to notify individuals who potentially may have been exposed between Aug. 29 and Nov. 7. Testing for those students will take place on Monday, Dec. 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the school, 5156 Santo Road, San Diego.
Symptoms of active TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss.
“Tuberculosis is a contagious but preventable and curable disease that spreads through the air,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “Most people who are exposed to TB do not develop the disease.
“If it does occur it can be treated and cured with medication, so that’s why it’s important to identify those who may have been exposed.”
There have been 182 TB cases reported to date in 2016. There were 234 cases reported in San Diego County in 2015.
For more information on this potential exposure, call the County TB Control Program at (619) 692-8621.
