Tuberculosis: 2 Separate Cases Reported In San Diego County

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA – The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency today reported two unrelated cases of tuberculosis were logged in the region and are working with officials to notify those possibly exposed to offer free testing.

The reports were filed from Palomar College in Rancho Bernardo and La Posada de Guadalupe Shelter, a men's facility in Carlsbad, according to authorities.

Possible exposure at the Palomar College Rancho Bernardo Center occurred between Aug. 20, 2018 and Sept. 26, 2018. No-cost testing is available for students, faculty and staff during the week of Jan. 28 at Palomar College Campus Student Health Center locations in Rancho Bernardo and San Marcos.

Palomar College is located at 1140 W. Mission Rd., San Marcos, and the Rancho Bernardo Center is at 11111 Rancho Bernardo Rd., San Diego.

The potential dates of exposure at La Posada de Guadalupe Men’s Shelter, 2472 Impala Drive in Carlsbad, were between Sept. 15, 2018 and Jan. 3, 2019. Free testing will be offered at the shelter on Jan. 23 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

“Symptoms of active tuberculosis include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss,” said Wilma Wooten, county public health officer. “But most people who are exposed do not develop the disease, and TB can be treated and cured with medication.”

Individuals with symptoms, or who are are immune-compromised, should consult with their medical providers to rule out tuberculosis, officials said.

For more information on the potential exposures, call:

• Palomar College Student Health Centers San Marcos Campus (760) 891-7530
• La Posada de Guadalupe Shelter at (760) 929-2322
• County TB Control Program at (619) 692-8621

The number of annual tuberculosis cases in San Diego County decreased since the early 1990s and has stabilized in recent years, authorities said. There were 258 cases reported in 2016 and 237 in 2017. There may be additional cases from last year that have yet to be reported, but to date, 224 cases were reported in 2018.

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