SAN DIEGO–Two unrelated tuberculosis cases have been reported in the region and people may have been exposed to the bacteria at Southwestern College, San Diego City College and on Metropolitan Transit System Bus Route 12, the County Health and Human Services Agenc
The health agency is working with officials from both community colleges and MTS to notify people who may have had close and prolonged contact with the infected individuals, and therefore may have been exposed to TB.
“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. “However, most people who are exposed to tuberculosis do not develop the disease.”
The periods of possible exposure were:
- Southwestern College: Aug. 26, 2019 to Dec. 10, 2019
- San Diego City College: July 26,
2019 to Aug. 5,2019 and Aug. 19,2019 to Dec. 16, 2019 - Bus Route 12: July 26 to Aug. 5,
2019 and Aug. 19 to Dec. 16, 2019, Monday through Friday—Departing from Skyline Hills between 7:59 and 8:47 a.m. to City College Transit Center. Departing from City College Transit Center between 7:04 and 8:04 p.m. to Skyline Hills.
Tuberculosis can be treated and cured with medication. People who have TB symptoms or are immuno-compromised are encouraged to see their medical health care provider to rule out TB.
Free TB testing will be available at the following locations:
Southwestern College
Student Health Services, 900 Otay Lakes Rd., Student Center, Room 67A-102, Chula Vista, CA 91910. Hours: Mon. – Thur. from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Fri. from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. SWC employees will be tested by Occupational Health.
San Diego City College
City College students can contact HHSA TB Control Program to arrange for testing or visit the Student Health Clinic reopening Feb. 3. City College employees will be tested by Occupation Health. Student Health Clinic is at 1313 Park Blvd., A building Room 180, San Diego, CA 92101. Testing at the college begins Feb. 3. Clinic hours are Mon. and Thurs. from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tue. and Wed. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Fri. from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Metropolitan Transit System
Passengers are advised to consult with their medical provider or contact HHSA to arrange for TB testing. MTS employees identified will be tested by Occupational Health.
For more information on these potential exposures, call:Southwestern Students Health Services (619) 482-6354
San Diego City College Student Health Clinic Director Dotti Cordell (619) 388-3903, County TB Control Program at (619) 692-8621
The number of tuberculosis cases in San Diego County has decreased since the early 1990s and has stabilized in recent years. There were 237 cases reported in 2017 and 226 in 2018. A total of 265 cases were reported in 2019.
