A health alert has been issued at Sweetwater High School after an individual was reported to have been potentially spreading tuberculosis (TB) from mid-last year till December, putting the school community on edge.

The report from County News Center revealed that the Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) is now collaborating with the County's Tuberculosis Program to inform students and staff that may have been exposed to the infectious disease, from July 19, 2023, to Dec. 15, 2023 targeted notifications have been sent to those identified at the highest risk, with no-cost TB screening options being made available to increase the response effectiveness.

According to health officials, TB is an airborne disease mainly spread when an affected person coughs, speaks, or breathes, with prolonged exposure in enclosed spaces increasing the risk of transmission. "Most people who become infected after exposure to tuberculosis do not get sick right away," "This is called latent TB infection," said Dr. Wilma Wooten, the County public health officer, detailing that latent cases, if untreated, could activate years later, posing long-term health risks.

Fortunately, said Dr. Wooten, blood and skin tests are readily available to determine if someone has contracted the TB infection, and effective treatments are on hand for those battling active TB. In a reassuring reminder, individuals who test positive but are not symptomatic likely harbor the dormant form of the bacteria, with latent TB infections being treatable and curable through medication thereby preventing the onset of active TB particularly amongst immunocompromised individuals, the quick action is crucial.

San Diego County has witnessed a stabilization of active TB cases in recent years, as per the historical data points, there were 192 cases in 2020 and the number slightly increased to 201 people in 2021 and to 208 people in 2022. With the latent TB infection estimated to affect around 175,000 individuals within the county, the emphasis on preventive treatment could not be higher.

For more information concerning this TB exposure, concerned parties are encouraged to contact the County TB Control Program at 619-692-5565 for in-depth guidance and support.