Mar Vista Academy Students Possibly Exposed To Tuberculosis

SAN DIEGO -- Students, faculty and staff at Mar Vista Academy may have been exposed to tuberculosis between Feb. 10 and May 3 and will be tested, according to the county Health and Human Services Agency.

The agency said May 22 that it's working to notify those who may have been exposed.

HHSA said it plans to provide free testing next week to students who may have been exposed; the Sweetwater Union High School District test potentially exposed staffers.

Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease that's generally transmitted through the air or contact with an infected person. Roughly a third of those exposed will develop it, according to the HHSA, but most avoid infection.

Symptoms can include a persistent cough, fever, night sweats and inexplicable weight loss.

Tuberculosis testing is planned for students from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 28 at Mar Vista Academy. The county did not disclose when staff and faculty would receive testing.

Residents can receive more information on the exposure period by calling the county's TB Control Program at (619) 692-8621.

City News Service contributed to this report.