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Health

Two Tuberculosis Cases Reported At San Diego County Schools

Two cases of tuberculosis in which others may have been exposed were reported Monday by the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency at high schools in National City and Tierrasanta.

The period of possible exposure at Sweetwater High in National City was from July 20 to Oct. 25, according to the HHSA. Free testing for students and staff will take place Nov. 29 on campus.

At Serra High in Tierrasanta, people might have been exposed between Aug. 29 and Nov. 7. On-campus testing is scheduled for Dec. 5. Symptoms of active TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss.

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More information on the cases is available by calling the San Diego County TB Control Program at (619) 692-8621.

"Tuberculosis is a contagious but preventable and curable disease that spreads through the air,'' said Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county's public health officer. "Most people who are exposed to TB do not develop the disease. If it does occur it can be treated and cured with medication, so that's why it's important to identify those who may have been exposed.''

To date in 2016, 182 TB cases have been reported in the region. There were 234 cases reported in San Diego County last year.

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