The County’s Tuberculosis Program is notifying members and visitors of Iglesia Ni Cristo in Miramar about a potential exposure to multidrug resistant tuberculosis. The exposure may have occurred between Sept. 19, 2025, and Dec. 3, 2025, primarily during the church’s 10 a.m. Sunday services and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday services.
Tuberculosis can be difficult to diagnose, and people may be sick for months before receiving a diagnosis, which can lengthen exposure periods. This situation involves MDR-TB, a type of TB that does not respond to standard medications.
What to Do
People who believe they may have been exposed, or healthcare providers caring for patients with TB, should call the County Tuberculosis Control Program at (619) 692-8621 for guidance, especially if they test positive for TB following the exposure.
Standard medications used to treat latent TB are not effective when treating multidrug resistant TB. People infected with this type of TB will receive alternate treatment.
Tuberculosis is an airborne disease that is transmitted from person-to-person when someone sick with TB coughs, speaks, sings or breathes. Anyone exposed to someone with TB should get tested.
Those with symptoms or weakened immune systems should seek medical care promptly to rule out active disease and discuss treatment.
“Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis can be more complicated and take longer to treat but it is both treatable and curable with the right medication,” said Dr. Sayone Thihalolipavan, M.D., M.P.H., County Public Health Officer. “If you believe you may have been exposed to MDR-TB, contact the County Tuberculosis Department right away. Early screening and treatment help protect your health and the health of our community.”
Active TB can be prevented through the diagnosis and treatment of a latent TB infection. People who test positive without symptoms should get a chest x-ray to rule out an active case and talk to a medical provider as they most likely have latent TB infection.
TB in San Diego County
Of the estimated 175,000 people in San Diego County who have latent TB, between 5 and 10 percent will develop active TB disease without treatment.
Since 2020, the number of people diagnosed with active TB disease in San Diego County has been steadily rising. In 2020, there were 193 TB cases, growing to 201 in 2021, 208 in 2022, 242 in 2023 and 247 in 2024.
Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is less common, with three people diagnosed in 2024 in San Diego County.
There is no known association between the exposure at Iglesia Ni Cristo church and any previously announced multidrug-resistant TB exposures in San Diego.
