SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — San Diego health officials reported three unrelated cases of Tuberculosis, one at a South Bay high school and two others at U.S. Navy ships docked in San Diego.
One case was reported at San Ysidro High School, according to the county. Health and Human Services Agency and Sweetwater Union High School District officials are warning individuals who were potentially exposed from Jan. 16 to May 31. County staff is providing free testing for students who may have potentially been exposed. The school district will provided staff potentially exposed with free testing as well.
The Navy and HHSSA officials are working to alert potentially exposed contractors who worked on two Navy ships between Jan. 10 and July 18:
- Huntington Ingalls Industries employees who worked on the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6), docked at Naval Base San Diego, from January 10 to June 8.
- General Dynamics NASSCO employees working on the USS Makin Island (LHD-8), docked at NASSCO from March 23 to July 18.
The two ships were not accessible to the public and exposure to Navy personnel was extremely limited, according to the county. Contractors are working with occupational health providers to offer free testing.
“Testing is recommended for all those exposed to assure they are not infected, since initial infection usually has no symptoms,” said Wilma Wooten, County public health officer. “For any infected individuals, early diagnosis and prompt treatment can prevent the infectious form of the disease.”
Tuberculosis is transmitted from person-to-person through indoor air during prolonged contact with an infected individual. The county says most people who are exposed don't become infected.
Symptoms include persistent cough, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss. TB can be treated with antibiotics.
For more information on the cases, call:
- San Ysidro High School: (619) 710-2354
- Huntington Ingalls Industries: (858) 522-6163
- General Dynamics NASCCO: (619) 544-8861
- Navy Environmental and Preventive Medicine Unit Five: (619) 556-7070
- County TB Control Program: (619) 692-8621
San Diego County has seen a decrease in TB cases annually since the 1990s and those cases have stabilized in recent years. Last year, San Diego saw 226 TB cases.
