Tuberculosis Outbreak Reported at San Francisco Catholic High School

Cases statewide have been climbing since 2023, with 14% of TB patients dying in 2022 - the highest rate since 1995.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 4:39pm by Ben Kaplan

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Public health officials in San Francisco have identified a tuberculosis outbreak at Archbishop Riordan High School, with three active cases and 50 latent cases detected. The school has canceled in-person classes and will transition to temporary hybrid learning as a result. This outbreak comes as tuberculosis cases have been on the rise statewide since 2023, with 14% of TB patients in California dying in 2022 - the highest rate since 1995.

Why it matters

Tuberculosis is a serious and potentially deadly disease, and outbreaks can have significant public health implications, especially in close-knit school communities. This outbreak highlights the need for vigilant disease monitoring and prevention efforts, particularly as TB cases have been climbing statewide in recent years.

The details

The San Francisco Department of Public Health issued a health advisory after identifying three active cases and 50 latent cases of tuberculosis at Archbishop Riordan High School. Active TB can be transmitted to others and requires treatment, while latent TB is not contagious but can still develop into active disease. The school has canceled in-person classes and will transition to temporary hybrid learning until February 20th, with students who test negative allowed to return to campus.

  • In November 2025, the three active cases of TB were first diagnosed at the school.
  • On February 3, 2026, the San Francisco Department of Public Health issued a health advisory about the outbreak.

The players

San Francisco Department of Public Health

The local public health agency that identified the tuberculosis outbreak at Archbishop Riordan High School and issued a health advisory.

Archbishop Riordan High School

The private Catholic high school in San Francisco where the tuberculosis outbreak was detected.

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What’s next

Students who test negative for tuberculosis will be allowed to return to campus even after hybrid learning commences on February 20th.

The takeaway

This tuberculosis outbreak highlights the ongoing public health challenges posed by infectious diseases, especially in close-knit school communities. It underscores the importance of vigilant disease monitoring, prevention efforts, and ensuring access to proper medical care and treatment.