March 11, 1998
Media Contact: Rick moore (619) 594-5204
SDSU students notified after TB case identified on campus
San Diego State University officials, working with staff of the San Diego County Department of Health Services, are notifying approximately 600 students that one of their classmates has been diagnosed with infectious tuberculosis (TB). Also being notified are 120 parents of children in the Campus Children's Center, where the student worked as a volunteer, and a small number of faculty and staff members who may have had contact with the student.
Individuals identified as having had significant exposure are being contacted and asked to obtain a tuberculin skin test, which should indicate whether or not they have been infected with TB. If they have been infected, a chest x-ray and further evaluation would be necessary. Only those individuals already contacted need to receive a TB skin test as part of this screening.
"It is important to note that tuberculosis is not a highly infectious disease and the transmission of TB usually requires close contact with or prolonged exposure to an infectious individual," said SDSU Director of Health Services Dr. Kevin Patrick. "Even if someone has been infected, the chances are nine out of ten that they will not develop the active form of the disease," he added.
The student was identified by physicians at SDSU Student Health Services in late February, after she sought medical care for persistent cough and other symptoms. She is undergoing treatment and is expected to fully recover.
As required by California law, the student was given a tuberculin skin test when she began work as a student-volunteer at the Campus Children's Center in January, 1998. Doctors are unable to explain the test result, a false negative which showed no exposure to TB. Students volunteer time at the Center as their practicum experience for certain majors. The Center cares for children of SDSU students, faculty and staff as well as a few special needs children from the San Diego Unified School District. The student has not returned to the Center since her condition was diagnosed.
Students who were enrolled in classes with the student in the Fall 1997 semester are being notified by registered letter. Students enrolled in a class with the student for the current semester will be briefed on the situation in their class. Parents of children at the Center will first be given a letter, then will receive a briefing at the Center.
Those students, faculty or staff who have been contacted may obtain the tuberculin test for no charge at SDSU Student Health Services. Parents and children at the Child Care Center will receive a free screening on campus from the County Department of Health Services.
An all-campus information session is planned at 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 13 in Love Library 430 on campus. Officials from SDSU Student Health Services and the County Department of Public Health will answer questions from members of the campus community. Admission is open to everyone at no charge.
Anyone who has questions about the situation, including which classes are affected, may telephone SDSU Student Health Services at (619) 594-4390.
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Rick Moore, Director
University Communications
San Diego State University
(619) 594-5204 FAX (619) 594-5956