A student at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) has been diagnosed with active tuberculosis (TB). The student is receiving treatment and will return to school upon clearance from the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health (DPH).
In partnership with CSUSB, DPH’s Communicable Disease Section (CDS) have identified about 400 students and employees who might have been exposed to the illness between April through August. The students and employees that were identified will receive emails from CDS with information about testing. Those who do not receive a testing notification are considered not to be at risk for exposure and TB testing is not recommended.
“While the risk of infection is low, it’s important for those who have been identified to take the time to get tested,” said Erin Gustafson, M.D., Medical Director for CDS. “Treatment is available for those who test positive.”
Although the risk of transmission is low, it is recommended that students who may have been exposed visit their primary care provider, the CSUSB Student Health Center or DPH to get tested. CSUSB employees who may have been exposed should visit their primary care providers or DPH to get tested.
TB is a disease spread through the air during prolonged, repeated and close contact with an individual who is infected with active TB. People may contract TB when breathing air exhaled by someone who is sick with the illness. When left untreated, TB can result in serious complications.
TB is not spread by shaking hands, sharing food or drinks or via bed linens or toilet seats. Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. A person with inactive (latent) TB cannot spread it to others.
For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) Tuberculosis (TB) webpage or contact CDS at 1-800-722-4794.