{"id":296394,"date":"2026-05-02T09:04:28","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T09:04:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/296394\/"},"modified":"2026-05-02T09:04:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-02T09:04:28","slug":"worlds-deadliest-disease-rips-across-california-as-clusters-discovered-at-schools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/296394\/","title":{"rendered":"World\u2019s deadliest disease rips across California as clusters discovered at schools"},"content":{"rendered":"

California health officials are scrambling<\/a> after tuberculosis exposures were confirmed at multiple schools as cases of the world\u2019s deadliest infectious disease continue climbing<\/a> across the state.<\/p>\n

Fresno County officials confirmed a cluster at Justin Garza High School, where one active infection was found, though authorities did not specify whether the case involved a student or staff, according to ABC30<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Fresno<\/p>\n

Fresno County officials confirmed a TB exposure at Justin Garza High School, where one active infection was identified. ABC 30<\/p>\n

\"An<\/p>\n

An aerial view of Justin Garza High School, with a news chyron at the bottom reporting a tuberculosis exposure. ABC 30<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A male health official in a white lab coat and stethoscope around his neck, speaking about a tuberculosis exposure at Justin Garza High School. ABC 30<\/p>\n

Officials emphasized no one on campus is currently contagious, but 22 out of 169 people exposed have tested positive<\/a> for the infection, though they show no symptoms yet.<\/p>\n

Health officials are teaming up with the school for contact tracing and testing, urging anyone who feels unwell to stay home.<\/p>\n

Symptoms of tuberculosis can include coughing up blood, a cough lasting more than three weeks, fatigue, and unintentional weight loss.<\/p>\n

The bacterial disease, which typically attacks the lungs, appears in both active and latent forms.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, San Diego County officials announced Wednesday a potential TB exposure was also reported at Sunset Elementary School in San Ysidro.<\/p>\n

According to county officials, the possible exposure occurred between July 5, 2025, and Oct. 21, 2025.<\/p>\n

Health officials are working with the San Ysidro Elementary School District to alert families and staff, offering free TB screenings to students and employees who may be at higher risk.<\/p>\n

\"Aerial<\/p>\n

Aerial view of Justin Garza High School, with a news chyron at the bottom reporting a tuberculosis exposure at the school. ABC 30<\/p>\n

\"TB<\/p>\n

TB spreads through the air when someone with active tuberculosis coughs, speaks, sings, or breathes. BSIP\/Universal Images Group via Getty Images<\/p>\n

The county said those at highest risk may have already been contacted. TB spreads through the air when someone with active tuberculosis coughs, speaks, sings, or breathes.<\/p>\n

County Public Health Officer Sayone Thihalolipavan warned that symptoms of active TB include \u201cpersistent cough, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMost people who become infected after exposure to tuberculosis do not get sick right away,\u201d Thihalolipavan said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is called latent TB infection. Some who become infected with tuberculosis will become ill in the future, sometimes even years later, if their latent TB infection is not treated.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor people who think they may have been exposed, blood tests and skin tests are an effective way to determine an infection.\u201d<\/p>\n

San Diego County has seen TB cases steadily rise in recent years, from 193 reported cases in 2020 to 265 in 2025.<\/p>\n

These recent school exposures are just the latest in a troubling series of incidents unfolding across California.<\/p>\n

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