A person who spent time at both Harborside Elementary School and Castle Park Middle School recently started treatment for active tuberculosis and may have exposed others, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency reported today.
HHSA is working closely with Chula Vista Elementary School District and the Sweetwater Unified School District officials, respectively, to notify individuals who were possibly exposed.
The period of potential exposure at Harborside Elementary School is from March 15 to June 6. Free testing for students who may have been exposed will take place on August 31 at the school, located at 681 Naples St. in Chula Vista.
The period of potential exposure at Castle Park Middle School is from July 20 to August 10. Free testing for students who may have been exposed will take place on August 31 at the school, located at 160 Quintard St. in Chula Vista.
“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 is not uncommon in San Diego. To date, 132 cases have been reported in 2016. There were 234 cases reported in 2015.
For more information on this potential exposure, call the County TB Control Program at (619) 692-8621.
