As tuberculosis (TB) experiences a worrying resurgence in San Diego, the County's Tuberculosis Control Program is in high gear, notifying individuals of potential TB exposures at three unrelated sites during distinct periods. These efforts underscore a public health problem that's become more pronounced since 2020 as TB rates continue climbing, as reported by the County of San Diego.
UC San Diego is actively collaborating to inform those who may have been exposed to TB on the La Jolla campus throughout the 2023-24 school year. Chula Vista High School and the East Mesa Reentry Facility are the other two locations working alongside the County to alert their communities to the risks within specific exposure windows.
"Symptoms of active TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss," said Ankita Kadakia, M.D., per the County of San Diego report. County Interim Public Health Officer, highlighting the subtleties of a disease that can remain under the radar for long periods before diagnosis. Kadakia emphasized the importance of testing for those who think they may have been exposed, with blood and skin tests adequate for determining infections.
The number of confirmed active TB cases in San Diego County is a stark tell of the disease's resurgence, rising from 193 in 2020 to 243 in 2023. This uptick corresponds with a 17 percent increase last year, pushing the county back to pre-pandemic levels and departing from decades of decline in TB cases. The County's data suggests around 175,000 residents have latent TB infections, which means they harbor a quiescent version of the disease that could become active without preventive treatment.
Those potentially exposed to TB at UC San Diego, Chula Vista High School, or the East Mesa Reentry Facility are encouraged to seek medical advice, including a chest x-ray for individuals with a positive TB test but no active symptoms. Medication for latent TB can effectively treat and prevent the progression of the disease. Concerned individuals can contact the County Tuberculosis Control Program at (619) 692-8621 for more information on potential exposure.
