Central Elementary School Students To Receive Free TB Testing

Students are scheduled to receive free testing today at Central Elementary School in Imperial Beach, where someone has tested positive for tuberculosis and may have exposed others to the disease for more than one month.

The time period for potential exposure at the campus at 1290 Ebony Ave. was March 17 to April 23, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency reported.

"Symptoms of active TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss," said Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county's public health officer. "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."

Tuberculosis is not uncommon in the San Diego region but has been decreasing in recent years, according to the HHSA.

To date, 59 cases have been reported this year in San Diego County. Last year, 206 cases were reported in the county, the lowest number since local TB cases peaked at 469 in 1993, according to the health agency. There were 234 cases in 2012.

Information on the potential exposures is available by calling the school at (619) 628-5000 or the county TB Control Program at (619) 692-8621.

—City News Service