A person at the City of San Diego Emergency Winter Shelter Program was recently diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) and may have exposed shelter staff, volunteers, and residents to the disease, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) reported today.
HHSA is working in close collaboration with the City of San Diego, as well as the San Diego Housing Commission which administers the contract for the shelter, and the Alpha Project which operates the facility, to notify individuals who were possibly exposed. The shelter is located at 1625 16th Street in Barrio Logan. The period of exposure was from Jan. 27 to Feb. 17.
“Symptoms of active TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss,” says Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County 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. For this reason, it is important to identify those who have been exposed.”
HHSA is offering no-cost testing for volunteers and residents on Tuesday, March 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the downtown shelter. HHSA will conduct follow-up testing on Monday, April 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Neil Good Day Center located at 299 17th Street in San Diego. Alpha Project is working with Family Health Centers of San Diego regarding staff testing.
Individuals who would like more information about the exposure may contact Alpha Project at (619) 542-1877. Individuals who have questions about TB may contact the County TB Control Program at (619) 692-8621. Please mention you are calling in regards to the TB exposure at the Downtown Emergency Winter Shelter.
So far in 2012, there have been 23 TB cases reported in San Diego. In 2011, there were 263 local cases of TB reported.
