Tuberculosis Exposures Reported At 2 San Diego County Schools

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA – Public health officials are warning the public of possible tuberculosis exposures at two schools in San Diego County.

The unrelated cases of tuberculosis may have exposed others at Crawford High School in San Diego and Steele Canyon High School in Spring Valley, according to the county Health and Human Services Agency. Officials are notifying students, faculty and staff at both schools that they may have been exposed from Sept. 17, 2017 to Jan. 5, 2018 at Crawford and between Oct. 27 and Dec. 21, 2017 at Steele Canyon.

Free testing will be offered at Crawford High School on Tuesday, Jan. 30, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and at Steele Canyon High School on Tuesday, Feb. 13, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Symptoms of tuberculosis infection include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss.

"Most people who are exposed do not develop the disease," said Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county's public health officer.

There were 237 tuberculosis cases reported in San Diego County in 2017 and 258 cases reported in 2016.

For more information call the county's Tuberculosis Control Program at 619-692-8621.

Image via Shutterstock