Tuberculosis Case Impacts Riverside's Cal Baptist University Campus

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Riverside County public health officials are contacting members of the public who interacted with a person who tested positive for active tuberculosis, it was announced Friday afternoon.

The potential exposure period is between September 5 and October 16, 2023. Among the patient’s affiliations is the community of California Baptist University in Riverside, according to Riverside University Health System - Public Health.

"Riverside University Health System-Public Health is working closely with university officials to identify and notify an estimated 150 people who may have had close contact with the individual. The university has approximately 15,580 faculty, staff and students," the county health agency reported.

Campus student body and personnel who are impacted received an electronic notice from Public Health and the university, informing them of the exposure and next steps for testing, according to the agency.

The patient infected by TB is being treated and is expected to recover, RUHS said.

TB spreads through the air during prolonged, repeated and close contact with someone who is infected with active TB. Symptoms can include a persistent cough, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss. In most cases, people infected with TB have a latent infection that does not progress to active tuberculosis, the agency said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 8,300 TB cases were reported in the United States in 2022, which represents 2.5 cases per 100,000 persons.

It is currently unknown where the individual contracted the disease. A contact investigation is ongoing and Public Health is working with and monitoring others who reside or who have close contact with the infected person.

Students, staff and faculty who are not considered at risk were also notified of the case and informed that TB testing is only recommended for individuals identified as potentially exposed.

“While the risk of infection is low, it is recommended that individuals who receive the exposure notification letter be tested,” said Dr. Geoffrey Leung, public health officer for Riverside County. "The testing is quick and can provide peace of mind for both individuals and their families. Once the test is administered, the individual will need to come back in two days to have it read by a health care worker.”

If the skin test reads positive, the individual will need to get a chest X-ray and follow up with Public Health. Another option for detection is a TB blood test.

For more information about TB symptoms, testing and treatment: https://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/factsheets/general/tb.htm