Grossmont High School tuberculosis case raises concerns

EL CAJON (CNS) – A person associated with Grossmont High School in El Cajon was treated recently for tuberculosis, raising concerns that patient may have exposed other people to the disease, county health officials said Thursday.

The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency has been working with school administrators to notify those who were possibly exposed between Sept. 2 and Sept. 17. County health officials said students who may have been exposed can get tested at the school for free on Oct. 14.

“Symptoms of active TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss,” county Public Health Officer Wilma Wooten said. “Most people who are exposed to TB do not develop the disease, but when it does occur, it can be treated and cured with medication. That’s why it’s important to identify those who have been exposed.”

So far this year, 132 cases of tuberculosis have been reported in the San Diego region, according to the HHSA.

County health officials said reported cases of the disease have declined in recent years.