San Diego City Wire

San Diego County Public Health Services is highlighting the importance of tuberculosis awareness ahead of World Tuberculosis Day on March 24. Tuberculosis (TB), a communicable disease, affects one in four people globally and remains the leading infectious cause of death worldwide. TB primarily impacts the lungs and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, speaks, sings, or breathes. Additionally, infection can occur from consuming unpasteurized dairy containing M. bovis bacteria.

World TB Day commemorates Dr. Robert Koch's discovery of the TB germ in 1882. The day aims to educate about TB's global impact and prevention efforts.

San Diego County reported a TB rate of 7.5 cases per 100,000 people last year, surpassing both California's rate of 5.4 and the national rate of 3 per 100,000. In 2024, there were 247 active TB cases in San Diego County, marking the fourth consecutive year of increasing incidence since 2021. The World Health Organization noted that 2023 saw the highest number of new TB diagnoses since monitoring began in 1995.

Active TB symptoms include a persistent cough, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss. However, many with latent TB infection (LTBI) remain asymptomatic but risk developing active disease later if untreated.

An estimated 175,000 San Diegans have latent TB infection and could develop active disease without treatment. Resources are available through the County TB Control program for those at risk.

The San Diego County TB Elimination Initiative partners with community organizations to promote awareness and testing for TB risks. The initiative educates that even those vaccinated as children can contract TB.

New California legislation (AB 2132), effective January 1, 2025, mandates offering adults seeking primary care a chance for TB screening with follow-up care if positive.

The County operates a clinic at North Central Public Health Center for uninsured individuals and offers testing at regional centers throughout the county.

On March 24, San Diego’s Administration Center will be illuminated red to honor World TB Day alongside similar events globally.