Image Credit: CDC.gov

SAN DIEGO–Anyone who attended any functions at the Sons & Daughters of Guam Club for a total of more than four hours between August 2 and November 30, 2018 may have been exposed to tuberculosis, the San Diego County Health and Human Services said.

The club is located at 334 Willie James Jones Avenue in San Diego, and anyone who was in the location for a cumulative total of four or more hours during the exposure period is encouraged to contact their medical provider for TB screening.

HHSA Public Health Services staff will provide an informational session at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 8, followed by no-cost testing from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

“Testing is recommended for all those exposed to assure they are not infected, since initial infection usually has no symptoms,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer.

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

Symptoms of infectious TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss. For people with symptoms of TB, or who are immune-compromised and may not show symptoms, it is important that they see their medical provider to rule out TB. Tuberculosis can be cured with antibiotics.

Anyone who would like more information on this exposure are asked to contact:

  • Sons & Daughters of Guam Club (619) 264-1226 or info@GuamClub.org
  • County TB Control Program (619) 692-8621

The number of annual TB cases in San Diego County has decreased since the early 1990s and has stabilized in recent years. There were 258 cases reported in 2016 and 237 in 2017. To date, 212 cases have been reported in 2018.