San Diego County health officials are investigating a possible new tuberculosis exposure at a local high school, prompting plans to provide free testing to identify potential infections among students and school employees.

The latest case is associated with Southwest High School in the South Bay area, where four people with active tuberculosis have been identified over the past two years, according to the county’s Department of Public Health.

The most recent potential exposure period ran from June 23, 2025, through March 6, 2026. Health officials are working with the Sweetwater Union High School District to notify students and staff who may have been exposed.

Free blood tests will be offered to current students and school employees during the first week of November. A mobile unit will also be available to provide chest X-rays when necessary.

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Former students who may have been exposed can also receive free testing on December 4, from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., in the school’s south parking lot.

Although all four cases involve people associated with the school, officials are still investigating whether they are connected. Genetic testing of two earlier cases identified different strains of the bacteria, while results for the most recent case remain pending.

How is tuberculosis spread?

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that spreads through the air when a person with active tuberculosis of the lungs or throat coughs, speaks or sings. The risk of infection increases with frequent or prolonged exposure in indoor spaces.

Symptoms of active tuberculosis include a persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss.

Health officials recommend that anyone who has received a notification about possible exposure follow public health guidance and undergo the recommended testing.

San Diego County recorded 265 cases of active tuberculosis in 2025, up from 247 in 2024, reflecting an increase in reported cases of the disease.