California Schools on High Alert: Outbreak of World’s Deadliest Disease Sparks Urgent Response

Health authorities in California are on high alert following confirmed tuberculosis exposures at several educational institutions, as the incidence of this lethal infectious disease continues to rise across the state.

In Fresno County, a cluster of cases has been identified at Justin Garza High School, where one individual has an active infection. However, officials have not disclosed whether the infected person is a student or a member of the staff, as reported by ABC30.

Authorities have assured that no one on the school premises is currently contagious. Out of 169 individuals exposed, 22 have tested positive for the infection but remain asymptomatic at this time.

Health teams are collaborating closely with the school for thorough contact tracing and testing efforts, and they are advising anyone experiencing illness to refrain from attending school.

Tuberculosis symptoms can manifest as a persistent cough lasting more than three weeks, coughing up blood, fatigue, and unintentional weight loss.

This bacterial infection primarily targets the lungs and can present itself in both active and latent forms.

Meanwhile, San Diego County officials announced Wednesday a potential TB exposure was also reported at Sunset Elementary School in San Ysidro.

According to county officials, the possible exposure occurred between July 5, 2025, and Oct. 21, 2025.

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.

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.

County Public Health Officer Sayone Thihalolipavan warned that symptoms of active TB include “persistent cough, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss.”

“Most people who become infected after exposure to tuberculosis do not get sick right away,” Thihalolipavan said.

“This 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.

“For people who think they may have been exposed, blood tests and skin tests are an effective way to determine an infection.”

San Diego County has seen TB cases steadily rise in recent years, from 193 reported cases in 2020 to 265 in 2025.

These recent school exposures are just the latest in a troubling series of incidents unfolding across California.

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