A person at Grossmont High School recently started treatment for tuberculosis (TB) and may have exposed others, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) reported today.
HHSA is working closely with Grossmont High School officials to notify individuals who were possibly exposed between Sept. 2 and Sept. 17. Free testing for students who may have been exposed will take place on Oct. 14 at the school, located at 1100 Murray Dr., El Cajon, CA 92020.
“Symptoms of active TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss,” says Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “Most people who are exposed to TB do not develop the disease, but when it does occur, it can be treated and cured with medication; that’s why it’s important to identify those who have been exposed.”
TB in not uncommon in the San Diego region but has been decreasing in recent years. To date, 132 cases have been reported in 2014. In 2013, 206 cases were reported in the county, the lowest number since local TB case peaked at 469 in 1993. There were 234 cases in 2012.
For more information on this potential exposure, call the County TB Control Program at (619) 692-8621.
