EL CAJON, Calif.—San Diego County is investigating a possible tuberculosis exposure at Sycuan Casino where a person recently diagnosed with tuberculosis may have exposed patrons and employees, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency announced on Jan. 4.
According to the health agency, the dates of exposure were from April 1 to Dec. 9, 2021. The agency’s representatives said they are working with Sycuan Casino officials to notify those who were potentially exposed.
Tuberculosis is transmitted from person to person through indoor air during prolonged contact with an infectious person. The exposure risk for patrons was low due to COVID-19 safety measures like masks, social distancing, and divider walls in place at the casino, according to the health agency.
“While many people exposed to tuberculosis do not become infected, some will be, and an early infection may not show any symptoms,” Dr. Cameron Kaiser, county deputy public health officer, said in a statement. “Although we don’t think this is a high-risk exposure, testing is recommended for employees who may have been exposed to the infected individual for a significant period of time.”
Symptoms of infectious tuberculosis include persistent cough, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss.
People with symptoms of tuberculosis, or who are immune-compromised and may not show obvious symptoms, should consult their medical provider to be evaluated. Tuberculosis can be cured with an extended course of specific antibiotics.
More information on the potential exposure is available by contacting the San Diego County’s Tuberculosis Control Program at 619-692-8621.
According to the health agency, tuberculosis is common in the San Diego region. Although it has been decreasing since the early 1990s, case counts have stabilized in recent years.
Last year’s tuberculosis case numbers have not been finalized yet, but 164 cases have been reported so far in San Diego County in 2021. In 2020, 192 cases were reported.
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