TB Cases Reported at 2 San Diego High Schools

SAN DIEGO, CA: Free tuberculosis testing will be offered to students at two San Diego-area high schools after cases of the disease were reported.

A person at High Tech High Media Arts in Point Loma was recently diagnosed with TB and another person at Southwest High School near Imperial Beach recently started treatment for TB, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency said Thursday.

"Both people may have exposed others at the schools, including students and staff," officials said in a news release. "The two cases are not related. HHSA is working closely with officials from both schools to notify individuals who were possibly exposed to TB."

Those who attended High Tech High Media Arts, a charter school, between Feb. 20 to May 15 of this year may have been exposed. Free testing for students who may have been exposed will take place on June 7 at the school on Truxtun Road.

The period of potential exposure at Southwest High was March 5 to May 15 of this year. Free testing for students who may have been exposed will take place on June 1 at the school on Hollister Street.

“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, officials said. To date, 74 cases have been reported this year. There were 234 cases reported in 2015.

For more information on the potential exposure, call the County TB Control Program at 619-692-8621.

(Image via CDC/Wikimedia Commons)