An individual at El Camino High School was recently diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) and may have exposed students and staff, the County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) reported today.
HHSA is working with the Oceanside Unified School District to notify those who were potentially exposed. The period of exposure was from Oct. 6 through Dec. 21, 2012.
“Tuberculosis usually requires many hours of close, indoor contact to spread to others, so most people who are exposed in classrooms do not get infected or develop the disease,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer.
When TB does occur, it can be treated and cured with medication. It is important to identify infected individuals early to prevent illness and to reduce the risk of spreading the disease to others.
“Symptoms of active TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss,” Wooten added.
Free skin testing for students and staff who may have been exposed will take place on Jan. 29 and Feb. 26 at the school, located at 400 Rancho del Oro Drive in Oceanside.
Tuberculosis is not uncommon in the San Diego region. There were 234 cases of TB reported in San Diego in 2012. No TB cases have been reported this year.
For more information about the exposure, call the County of San Diego TB Control Program at (619) 692-8621.
