Southwestern College Faces Potential Exposure to Drug-Resistant TB

County health officials warn of possible tuberculosis outbreak on campus

Apr. 9, 2026 at 11:23pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray photograph showing the internal structures of a human lung, with a faint, obscured presence suggesting the spread of tuberculosis bacteria.An X-ray image reveals the internal structures of a human lung, hinting at the presence of tuberculosis bacteria that may have spread through a school community.San Diego Today

San Diego County's Tuberculosis Prevention and Care Program has announced a potential exposure to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) for students and staff at Southwestern Community College's main campus. The exposure may have occurred between October 27 and December 14, 2025. County health officials are urging those who may have been exposed to get tested and seek medical treatment, as MDR-TB can be more complicated and lengthier to treat.

Why it matters

Tuberculosis outbreaks in congregate settings like schools can spread quickly and pose a serious public health risk, especially when dealing with drug-resistant strains that are more difficult to treat. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges of managing TB in San Diego County, where cases have been steadily rising since 2020.

The details

According to county health officials, tuberculosis can be difficult to diagnose, and people may be sick for months before receiving a diagnosis, which can lengthen exposure periods. This situation involves MDR-TB, a type of tuberculosis that does not respond to standard medications. Individuals in congregate settings such as schools are at higher risk of exposure to TB.

  • The potential exposure occurred between October 27 and December 14, 2025 at Southwestern Community College's main campus in Chula Vista.
  • TB cases in San Diego County have been on the rise since 2020, with 193 cases reported in 2020, 201 in 2021, 208 in 2022, and 242 in 2023. In 2024, a total of 247 people were reported with active TB disease in the county.

The players

Sayone Thihalolipavan

The county public health officer who stated that 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.

Southwestern Community College

The college where the potential exposure to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis occurred between October 27 and December 14, 2025.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Sayone Thihalolipavan, County Public Health Officer

What’s next

County health officials are urging those who may have been exposed to get tested and seek medical treatment as soon as possible. The County Tuberculosis Department can be contacted for more information and assistance.

The takeaway

This potential exposure to drug-resistant tuberculosis at Southwestern College underscores the ongoing public health challenges posed by TB in San Diego County, where cases have been steadily rising in recent years. Early detection and proper treatment are crucial to containing the spread of this serious infectious disease.