Public health officials are sounding the alarm at Mount Miguel High School (MMHS) in Spring Valley after a confirmed case of tuberculosis (TB) was reported, potentially exposing students, staff, and volunteers to the disease. The Grossmont Union High School District, paired with the County's Tuberculosis Control Program, is hastily working to inform those who may have been in contact with the infected individual during the second semester of the 2023-24 school year, specifically between February 1 and June 4.
As an infectious airborne disease, TB's main transmission mode comes from inhaling bacteria released into the air when a person with active TB coughs, talks, sings or simply breathes. The County of San Diego highlighted the significance of testing for those who have shared indoor spaces with the infected person for extended periods, as early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for containment and, more so, for the health of the potentially infected individuals.
The response to this health scare isn't just a warning; it's a coordinated effort. Health investigators are arranging for TB skin tests, blood tests, and even X-rays where necessary for those identified as exposed. "Symptoms of active TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss," Dr. Ankita Kadakia, County Interim Public Health Officer, outlined by the County of San Diego. For individuals worried about having been exposed, Kadakia emphasized the effectiveness of blood tests and skin tests to confirm an infection.
Positive TB results, minus the active disease symptoms, generally point toward a latent TB infection. This state implies that the bacteria are present but inactive in the body. Health officials urge individuals in this boat to get a chest X-ray and consult with their medical provider. "People in this situation are infected with TB, but the infection is essentially dormant or “sleeping," said Dr. Kadakia, continuing to advocate for preventive medication to cure the infection and prevent future sickness effectively, per the County of San Diego.
Once observing a decline, TB cases in San Diego County have been on the upswing since 2020, reaching a 17 percent increase in 2023, with 243 recorded cases of active TB, pushing levels back to those seen pre-pandemic. This resurgence highlights the 175,000 estimated individuals in San Diego with latent TB infections, 5 to 10 percent of whom may develop active TB if untreated, according to the County of San Diego.
