SAN DIEGO–Employees and visitors at the Naval Base in Point Loma may have been exposed to tuberculosis (TB), reports the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency.
The health agency is working with Navy officials to notify individuals who were possibly exposed to TB on the base.
The periods of exposure are from October 1, 2016 to January 31, 2017 in the Naval Base Point Loma Old Town Complex in building OT3 and from February 1 to April 7 in the Naval Base Point Loma Topside building #40.
“Symptoms of active TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss,” says Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “Most people who are exposed to TB do not develop the disease.
“Those confirmed to be exposed and infected can be treated and cured with medication to minimize chances of developing active TB disease; that’s why it’s important to identify those who have been exposed.”
The Navy will provide no-cost testing to all identified individuals at Naval Base Point Loma Old Town Complex beginning May 9 and on May 15 and 16 in the auditorium on Topside A-33.
People who would like more information are asked to call County TB Control Program at (619) 692-8621.
There were 258 TB cases reported in San Diego in 2016 and 234 cases in 2015. To date, 68 cases have been reported in 2017.
