An individual at Lincoln 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 the San Diego Unified School District to notify individuals who were potentially exposed. The period of potential exposure was from Sept. 4 to Sept. 24, 2013.
“Symptoms of active TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss,” said Eric McDonald, M.D., M.P.H., County deputy public health officer. “TB usually requires many hours of close indoor contact to spread to others, so most people who are exposed do not develop the disease. When it does occur, it can be treated and cured with medication. That is why it’s important to identify those who have been exposed.”
Free testing for students who were potentially exposed will take place Oct. 22 at Lincoln High School, 4777 Imperial Ave. in San Diego.
Tuberculosis is not uncommon in the San Diego region. There have been 105 TB cases reported so far this year. Last year, 234 local residents were diagnosed with TB.
For more information about the potential exposure, call the County of San Diego TB Program at (619) 692-8621.
