Families at Sunset Elementary in San Ysidro are being warned about a possible tuberculosis exposure after San Diego County health officials identified a months-long window when students and staff may have been at risk between July 5 and Oct. 21, 2025. Officials say those considered at highest risk have already been contacted, and free TB screening is being offered to students and staff with increased risk. Parents and school employees are urged to watch for symptoms such as a persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss, and to contact their health care provider if they are concerned. For testing information and guidance, the County Tuberculosis Control Program can be reached at 619-692-8621.
County and District Outreach
San Diego County officials say they are working closely with the San Ysidro Elementary School District to notify families and staff who may have been exposed, according to SD HHSA. The agency notes that the potential exposure window at Sunset Elementary ran from July 5 through Oct. 21, 2025, and that the district is following public health guidance as outreach continues.
County health officials are working with the San Ysidro Elementary School District to notify families and staff about a potential tuberculosis (TB) exposure at Sunset Elementary School between July 5, 2025, to Oct. 21, 2025. https://t.co/61mXBzHOlO
— SD HHSA (@SDCountyHHSA) April 29, 2026
A county news release reports that free TB screening will be offered to students and staff identified as having increased risk, as outlined by the County of San Diego. The screenings are meant to catch infection early and help prevent active disease from developing down the line.
Testing and Symptoms
According to the San Diego County Tuberculosis Control Program, people who test positive but do not have symptoms will be evaluated for latent TB infection. In most cases, they will be advised to get a chest X-ray and consider preventive medication. County health officials emphasize that caregivers of young children should be especially vigilant because kids can progress to active TB more quickly and may need expedited follow-up.
Rising Local Numbers
County communications point out that TB has been ticking up locally, with 193 cases reported in 2020 and 265 in 2025, according to the County of San Diego. Officials also estimate that roughly 175,000 San Diegans may carry latent TB infection, a reminder that the disease is quietly present in the community even when there is no obvious outbreak. That estimate is driving the county's push to expand screening and treatment to head off future cases of active TB.
What Parents Should Do
County Public Health Officer Dr. Sayone Thihalolipavan told KPBS that most people exposed to tuberculosis do not become sick. Still, anyone with a prolonged cough or other TB symptoms should be evaluated quickly. Parents are urged to pay close attention to any outreach from the San Ysidro Elementary School District and to call the County TB Control Program at 619-692-8621 for testing locations and specific instructions if their child or a household member may have been exposed.
