SAN DIEGO–Two new, unrelated cases of active tuberculosis that may have exposed others have been reported at Crawford High School and Steele Canyon High School, according to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency.
“Symptoms of active TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “But most people who are exposed do not develop the disease.”
The period of potential exposure at Crawford High School, 4191 Colts Way, San Diego, was from Sept. 17, 2017 to Jan. 5. HHSA is working with school officials to notify individuals that may have been exposed and is offering no-cost testing to students and staff on Tuesday, Jan. 30 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the school.
HHSA is also working with officials to notify individuals who potentially may have been exposed at Steele Canyon High School, 12440 Campo Rd., Spring Valley. Individuals may have been exposed to TB between Oct. 27 and Dec. 21, 2017. No-cost testing for those students will take place at the school on Tuesday, Feb. 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the school.
“TB can be treated and cured with medication,” said Susannah Graves, M.D., M.P.H., TB Control Branch chief. “That is why it’s important to get tested if you have been exposed.”
For individuals with symptoms of TB, or are immune-compromised, it is important that they see their medical provider to rule out TB.
There were 237 TB cases reported in in San Diego County in 2017 and 258 cases reported in 2016.
For more information on this potential exposure, call the County TB Control Program at (619) 692-8621.
