SAN DIEGO–The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) is working with San Diego American Indian Health Center (SDAIHC) to notify patients who were possibly exposed to tuberculosis (TB) at SDAIHC’s downtown location. The period of exposure was Oct. 1, 2010 to April 1, 2011.
“HHSA is working in collaboration with the San Diego Indian Health Center to notify individuals who may have been exposed,” says Dr. Wilma Wooten, County Public Health Officer. “Public Health Services continually monitors community health issues, including TB, and is committed to safeguarding the public.”
SDAIHC officials are in the process of notifying all individuals who were potentially exposed. No-cost testing for patients who have possibly been exposed will be conducted the week of April 18 at the San Diego American Indian Health Center located at 2630 First Avenue, San Diego.
Symptoms of active TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss. Most people who are exposed to TB do not develop the disease.
Individuals who would like more information are asked to call the San Diego American Indian Health Center’s information line at (619) 234-0648 or the County TB Control Program at (619) 692-8621.
Tuberculosis is not uncommon in the San Diego region. In 2010, there were 222 cases of TB reported in San Diego County and 36 have been reported thus far in 2011.
