County of San Diego warns of two separate tuberculosis exposures

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- The County of San Diego on Tuesday announced Father Joe's Villages in downtown San Diego and Edgemoor Skilled Nursing Facility in Santee have been impacted by potential tuberculosis exposures at their facilities.

Residents, employees, contractors and visitors are being warned of when the exposures occurred.

Father Joe's Villages' Paul Mirabile Center, located at 1501 Imperial Avenue, reported the potential TB exposure between May 4 to May 19. The exposure dates for Edgemoor Skilled Nursing Facility, located at 655 Park Center Drive, range from Dec. 13, 2023 to July 8.

Tuberculosis is an airborne disease that spreads through coughing, speaking, singing or breathing, according to the county. Symptoms include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss.

 “Most people who become infected after exposure to tuberculosis do not get sick right away. This is called latent TB infection. Some who become infected with tuberculosis will become ill in the future, sometimes even years later, if their latent TB infection is not treated. For people who think they may have been exposed, blood tests and skin tests are an effective way to determine an infection,” said Ankita Kadakia, M.D., County interim Public Health Officer. 

It is uncertain if the exposure at Father Joe's Villages indicates transmission may have happened at another shelter site, per the county.