County Warns Of Potential Tuberculosis Exposure At High School In San Diego's South Bay

SAN DIEGO, CA — There was a possible exposure to tuberculosis at a school in San Diego's South Bay, officials announced this week.

San Diego County's Tuberculosis Prevention and Care Program was working with Sweetwater Union School District to notify students and staff who were potentially exposed to the disease from Sept. 23 to Oct. 23, 2025 at Southwest High School.

Public health officials said the new exposures are not linked to a separate investigation earlier in 2025 at the same school. During the earlier investigation, one person was diagnosed with probable TB and another with confirmed disease. A third confirmed case has since been identified but is unrelated to the earlier cases.

Officials emphasized the current situation is not considered an outbreak. Investigators identified different TB strains, requiring a separate screening process.

The two newly identified cases were found during investigations conducted in the summer and fall of 2025. Officials said the thorough investigation may have helped detect active TB earlier, potentially preventing more severe illness and shortening the exposure window.

Those at highest risk of infection have already been notified.

Free TB screening will be offered on-site at Southwest High School to students and staff identified as having an increased risk of infection, according to the county. Anyone who tests positive for TB will be offered chest X-rays at the school through the county program.

Those exposed in spring 2025 will also have the opportunity to be tested and receive X-rays if needed. County staff will also provide TB education to affected students and staff.

Tuberculosis is an airborne disease that spreads when someone with active TB coughs, speaks, sings or breathes. People who spend extended time indoors with someone who has active TB face the highest risk of infection, while brief contact generally carries a lower risk.

Dr. Sayone Thihalolipavan, the county's public health officer, said active TB symptoms include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss.

"Many people infected with TB do not get sick right away," Thihalolipavan said. "This is called latent TB infection. Some will become ill later if it is not treated. Blood tests and skin tests are effective ways to detect infection."

People who test positive for TB but do not have active symptoms likely have latent TB and should get a chest X-ray and talk to a medical provider, officials said.

TB cases in the county have been on the rise since 2020. Health officials reported 193 cases in 2020, 201 in 2021, 208 in 2022, and 242 in 2023. In 2024, a total of 247 people were reported with active TB disease in the county.

An estimated 175,000 people in the county have latent TB infection and are at risk for developing active TB without preventive treatment, officials said.