SAN DIEGO — The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) is working with Sweetwater Union High School District officials to notify people who were possibly exposed to tuberculosis (TB) at Mar Vista Academy, located at 1267 Thermal Avenue in San Diego.
The period of possible exposure is from Feb. 10, 2019 to May 3, 2019. For students who have been identified as exposed to TB, HHSA staff will provide no-cost testing on May 28, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Mar Vista Academy. Identified staff will be provided testing by the Sweetwater Union High School District.
On average one-third of close contacts to a TB case will become infected without symptoms, putting them at risk to develop the disease. It is important to identify these infections early with testing because TB can be treated and cured with medication.
“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. “If you have symptoms of TB or a problem with your immune system, you should discuss TB with your medical provider and be evaluated.”
People who would like more information on this potential exposure are asked to call:
- Mar Vista Academy: (619) 628-5108
- County TB Control Program at (619) 692-8621
The number of annual TB cases in San Diego County has decreased since the early 1990s and has stabilized in recent years. There were 258 cases reported in 2016 and 237 in 2017 and 226 cases were reported in 2018.
