San Joaquin County sees spike in TB cases

Officials are calling on residents to use caution due to rise

STOCKTON >> San Joaquin County Health officials are urging residents to take extra precautions as the number of tuberculosis cases in the region has increased dramatically over the last year.

According to San Joaquin County Public Health Services, tuberculosis infections rose by 55% in 2023, the largest increase in 30 years.

The entire state saw just a 15% increase, health officials said.

Tuberculosis, more commonly known as TB, is spread from person to person through the air. When an infected person coughs, those around them can become infected when they inhale the bacteria.

Those with active TB will experience symptoms such as coughing with or without bloody sputum, fever or night sweats, weight loss and fatigue, and they can continue to spread the disease.

Some people can live with latent TB, meaning they can have the disease without developing active symptoms.

Health officials said one in 10 people with latent TB will develop active TB if not treated, a risk that is higher in people with compromised immune systems or certain chronic diseases.

“State data shows that annually, approximately 200 people die with TB,” said Dr. Maggie park, San Joaquin County public health official. “Which means someone dies with TB every other day in California.”

In addition, 50% of people with TB are hospitalized and 13% die before or during treatment every year. However, TB can be preventable. Health officials said 86% of new diagnoses every year arise from progression of untreated latent TB cases, which means most instances are preventable through testing and treatment. More than 2 million Californians have latent TB, and most are unaware of their infection or are untreated, according to health officials.

“Early identification and treatment of people with latent TB can impact and hopefully reverse the rise of TB cases in the county,” said Dr. Cristina Almeida.

Park and Almeida encourage residents to ask their healthcare providers for testing if they feel they are at increased risk or have been exposed to someone with TB or have symptoms.

If you are diagnosed with TB, follow the recommendations from your healthcare provider and local public health department to isolate yourself from others while you are still infectious.

Follow up with your healthcare provider and public health case managers to keep track of symptoms and response to medicine.

Complete all medication as prescribed by your health care provider, whether you are being treated for acute or latent TB. Incomplete treatment can lead to bacterial resistance, return of symptoms, or even hospitalization and death.

For more information, visit tinyurl.com/CalTBincrease.