A person at Southwestern College was recently diagnosed with active tuberculosis and may have exposed others, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency reported today.
HHSA is working closely with school officials to notify individuals who were potentially exposed between March 8 and May 27.
“Most people who are exposed to TB do not develop the disease,” said Sayone Thihalolipavan, M.D., M.P.H., County deputy public health officer. “But it’s important to identify those who have been exposed because TB can be treated and cured with medication.
Southwestern College will provide no-cost testing from Aug. 9 through Aug. 26 to students, faculty and staff who were potentially exposed. The testing will take place at the Southwestern College Health Services in the Chula Vista campus student center, 900 Otay Lakes Road. Please call (619) 482-6354 to make an appointment.
Symptoms of active TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss.
Individuals who would like more information are asked to call County TB Control Program at (619) 692-8621.
TB in not uncommon in the San Diego region but the number of cases has levelled off in recent years. There have been 120 cases of TB reported in the county in 2016 to date. There were 234 cases reported in 2015 and 220 in 2014.
