Tuberculosis Case Confirmed At Patrick Henry High In San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CA — A person at Patrick Henry High School in San Diego was recently diagnosed with tuberculosis and may have exposed students and staff, county health officials announced Monday.

The dates of exposure are from August 26, 2019 to March 13, 2020, according to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency. The agency is working with San Diego Unified School District officials to notify those who were potentially exposed and provide TB testing.

Patrick Henry High School is currently participating in social distancing protocols due to the coronavirus pandemic, so onsite TB screening will not be available at the school.

Identified students who may have been exposed to TB can get tested with their primary care provider. Students who do not have a medical provider may contact the agency to arrange for free testing by appointment only. Identified staff will be provided testing by the San Diego Unified School District.

Tuberculosis is transmitted from person to person through indoor air during prolonged contact with an infectious person. Most people who are exposed do not become infected.

"Testing is recommended for everyone who was determined to have been exposed to make sure they are not infected, since initial infection typically has no symptoms," said Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county's public health officer. "Early diagnosis is important so that people can get treatment and prevent them from developing the infectious form of the disease."

Symptoms of infectious tuberculosis include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss. People with symptoms of TB, or who are immune-compromised and may not show symptoms, should consult their medical provider to be evaluated for the bacteria.

Tuberculosis can be cured with antibiotics.

People who would like more information on this potential exposure should contact Patrick Henry High School at sdusdnursing@sandi.net or 619-725-5501, or the county TB control program at 619-692-8621.

Tuberculosis cases are not uncommon in the San Diego region but have been decreasing since the early 1990s and stabilized in recent years.

Last year, 265 county residents were diagnosed with TB, according to health officials. To date, 67 cases have been reported in 2020.