
Health officials in Michigan's Kalamazoo County are investigating an active tuberculosis (TB) case in a local high school student, and San Diego officials are warning of possible TB exposure at a high school last year, according to a press release published late last week.
Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department (HCS) said it notified
Kalamazoo Public Schools of the case and that the patient is isolated from others and currently undergoing treatment.
Testing of case contacts will take place this week at the school.
Although tuberculosis can be a serious disease, it is a treatable infection.
"Although tuberculosis can be a serious disease, it is a treatable infection. We are working closely with Kalamazoo Public Schools to ensure the safety and health of all staff and students," said William Nettleton, MD, medical director of Kalamazoo County HCS.
San Diego exposure in high school
Also late last week, San Diego health officials warned of possible tuberculosis exposure at a high school during the 2023-24 academic year. Officials are notifying students, employees, and contractors potentially exposed to tuberculosis at Palomar High School from February 24 to June 5, 2024.
In 2023, 243 people were reported with active TB disease in San Diego County, the highest level in 5 years, according to a news report. Active infections had been steadily declining since 2000 but increased starting in 2020, health officials said.
An estimated 175,000 people in San Diego County have latent TB infections, of which 5% to 10% may become active in their lifetimes.