TB Case Reported at Southwestern College

CHULA VISTA, CA — A person at Southwestern College was recently diagnosed with active tuberculosis and may have exposed others, county health officials reported Wednesday.

The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency is working closely with school officials to notify individuals who were potentially exposed between March 8 and May 27, according to a news release. Symptoms of active TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss.

"Most people who are exposed to TB do not develop the disease," said Dr. Sayone Thihalolipavan, 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."

It was not clear whether the diagnosed person was a student at the college or if they worked there.

As a result of the TB case, Southwestern College will provide no-cost testing Aug. 9 through Aug. 26 for students, faculty and staff who were potentially exposed. An appointment is required for the testing, which will take place at Southwestern College Health Services in the Chula Vista campus student center, 900 Otay Lakes Road. Call 619-482-6354 to make an appointment.

More information can be obtained by calling the County TB Control Program at 619-692-8621.

County officials say TB in not uncommon in the San Diego region but the number of cases has leveled 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.

More on Patch:

• TB Cases Reported at 2 San Diego High Schools
• Tuberculosis Found at San Diego College
• Tuberculosis at Del Mar Fairgrounds Not Affecting Public

(Image via Southwestern College)