A person at Palomar 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 closely with school officials to notify those who were potentially exposed. The period of exposure was from November 1, 2013 through January 21, 2014. Free testing for students who may have been exposed will take place on February 19 at the school, located at 480 Palomar Street in Chula Vista.
“It is important to identify those who are infected to provide treatment before symptoms develop and to prevent spread of disease to others,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “Symptoms of active TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss.”
Tuberculosis has been decreasing in recent years. In 2013, 206 San Diegans were diagnosed with tuberculosis, the lowest number since local TB cases peaked at 469 in 1993. There were 234 cases in 2012.
For more information about the potential exposure, call the County of San Diego TB Control Program at (619) 692-8621.
