A person at San Ysidro High School was recently diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) and may have exposed students and staff to the disease, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) reported today.
HHSA is working in close collaboration with the Sweetwater Union High School District to notify and ensure screening of those who were possibly exposed. The period of exposure occurred from Nov. 1, 2011, to March 6, 2012. The exposure is limited to some classrooms and one school bus, #238.
“TB usually requires many hours of close indoor contact to spread to others, so we want to be sure that those who shared classroom or bus time with the ill individual are tested for exposure,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County Public Health Officer. “Most people who are exposed to TB do not develop the disease, and school screening represents an extra measure of safety for individuals, their families and the community.”
Symptoms of active TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss. TB can be treated and cured with medication and early identification of exposed individuals is important to prevent illness.
No-cost testing for identified students and staff will be held on April 11, 2012, at San Ysidro High School located at 5353 Airway Road in San Ysidro. Follow up testing will be conducted at the school on May 15, 2012. Students and staff can also arrange testing through their own healthcare providers.
Anyone who would like more information about the exposure may contact County TB Control Program at (619) 692-8621. San Ysidro High School parents who would like more information about testing may contact school nurse Anita Holt at (619) 710-2302.
There have been 35 TB cases reported thus far in 2012 in San Diego. In 2011, there were 263 local cases of TB reported.
