SAN DIEGO–Two people employed by Premier Food Service have been diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) and may have exposed other employees, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency reported Tuesday.
The health agency is working closely with Premier management to notify individuals who work at the company’s facilities at the Del Mar Fairgrounds who were potentially exposed between Feb. 5 and June 23. These facilities are not accessible by the general public. Health officials say there is no indication anyone in the general public are at risk for exposure.
“TB usually requires many hours of close, sustained indoor contact to spread to others, so most people who are exposed do not develop the disease,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “TB is not spread through casual contact, such as shaking someone’s hand or sharing food.”
Testing is being offered to Premier staff who may have been exposed and further testing is being conducted to determine if the two cases are related.
“Symptoms of active TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss,” said Wooten. “Most people who are exposed to TB do not develop the disease, but when it does occur, it can be treated and cured with medication; that’s why it’s important to identify those who have been exposed.”
TB in not uncommon in the San Diego region but has been decreasing in recent years. To date, there have been 89 cases reported in 2015. In 2014, 220 cases were reported in the county.
For more information on this potential exposure, call the County TB Control Program at (619) 692-8621.