Tuberculosis exposure reported at East County school

SPRING VALLEY, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) -- A potential tuberculosis exposure may have impacted students, staff and volunteers at Mount Miguel High School in Spring Valley during the second semester of the 2023-24 school year, the County of San Diego said Thursday.

The dates of the potential exposure at 8585 Blossom Lane are from Feb. 1 to June 4, according to health officials.

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. 

The County of San Diego and Grossmont Union High School District will conduct tuberculosis testing and if necessary, X-rays, for those who have been exposed.

For more information on the potential exposure, call the County Tuberculosis Control Program at 619-692-8621.