People who played bingo at Viejas Outlets or rode the Sun Charter San Diego North Line there at specific times since last May may have been exposed to tuberculosis, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency announced Tuesday.
A person who was at Viejas Bingo and on the Sun Charter on various dates since May was recently diagnosed with TB.
There were potential exposures during afternoon and evening hours between May 10 and May 24 and during evening hours from May 25 to July 26 and again on August 9 and 18.
Health officials are working with Viejas Bingo and Sun Charter to identify and notice people who may be at risk.
People who believe they may have been exposed should contact their doctor about getting tested.
Most people exposed to TB do not become infected and prolonged exposure is necessary to spread the disease, county officials said. It’s transmitted through indoor air when the infected person coughs or speaks.
“Testing is recommended for all those exposed to assure they are not infected since initial infection usually has no symptoms,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “For any infected individuals, early diagnosis and prompt treatment can prevent the infectious form of the disease.”
If a person is infected, symptoms often don’t show up for two to three months after exposure.
Symptoms include cough, fever, night sweats and weight loss.
Most cases can be cured with several months of antibiotics.
Tuberculosis germs don’t thrive on surfaces and it can’t be spread through touch or sharing drinks or food.
TB cases in the U.S. have steadily decreased since the 1990s. There were 237 cases in San Diego last year and 131 so far this year.
For more information on the exposure please call:
• County TB Control Program (619) 692-8621
• Viejas Bingo Risk Management (619) 659-2422
• Sun Charter of San Diego (619) 336-9206
