They're being warned that "people may be sick for months before receiving a diagnosis, which can lengthen exposure periods"
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NEED TO KNOW
- Students at Southwestern College’s Chula Vista campus received notice that they may have been exposed to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis
- The potential exposure occurred at Southwestern College’s Chula Vista campus between Oct. 27 and Dec. 14, 2025
- Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is harder to treat as it does not respond to standard medications
Students at a California college may have been exposed to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
The County of San Diego's Communications Office shared a notice from the County of San Diego's Tuberculosis Prevention and Care Program advising of a potential exposure at Southwestern College's main campus in Chula Vista that occurred between Oct. 27 and Dec. 14, 2025.
The potential exposure at the community college involves multidrug-resistant TB, a type of infection that does not respond to standard medications.
The case is unrelated to the potential exposure that occured at Iglesia Ni Cristo in Miramar in March, the notice states.
Tuberculosis is an airborne disease. Symptoms include coughing up blood or mucus, weight loss, chest pain, chills and fever, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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Since it can be difficult to diagnose, the county's tuberculosis program warns that "people may be sick for months before receiving a diagnosis, which can lengthen exposure periods."
"Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis can be more complicated and lengthier to treat since it is a form of infection that does not respond to the usual medicines," said Dr. Sayone Thihalolipavan, county public health office in a press statement.
"The good news is that TB, including MDR-TB, is treatable and curable with the right medication," the statement continued. "If you believe you may have been exposed, contact the County Tuberculosis Department right away. Early screening and treatment is important to help protect your health and the health of our community."
In a statement to The San Diego Union-Tribune, Southwestern College said it is "working closely with the County of San Diego Public Health Services to support their investigation and to help ensure the health and well-being of our students, faculty, and classified professionals."
“Individuals who were identified as having direct exposure have been notified, and the County will provide free, on-campus TB screenings for those students," the statement said.
People who believe that they may have been exposed to the disease should call the County Tuberculosis Control Program at (619) 692-8621 for guidance.
As standard medications are not effective when treating multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, those infected will receive alternative treatment, the notice states.
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PEOPLE has reached out to Southwestern College for comment.
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