Alpine, California - A person who played bingo at Viejas Bingo located in the Viejas Outlets and rode the Sun Charter San Diego North Line to the facility has been diagnosed with tuberculosis and may have exposed others, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency announced Tuesday.

There were potential exposures during afternoon and evening hours between May 10 and May 24 and during evening hours from May 25 to July 26 and again on August 9 and 18.

HHSA officials are working with Viejas Bingo and Sun Charter to notify patrons and staff who may have been exposed. People who used the afternoon and evening San Diego North Line bus service, or who visited the bingo area during the dates identified above are encouraged to contact their medical provider or County Public Health for TB screening. TB testing will be offered to staff at no cost by Occupational Health starting the week of September 24.

Preliminary testing of this case suggests resistance to isoniazid, so anyone who tests positive should let their doctor know treatment with other medications is recommended.

Most people who are exposed do not become infected. County health officials stressed that a person would need prolonged exposure to the infectious individual to develop TB. It is transmitted from person to person through indoor air when the person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, speaks or sings.

“Testing is recommended for all those exposed to assure they are not infected, since initial infection usually has no symptoms,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “For any infected individuals, early diagnosis and prompt treatment can prevent the infectious form of the disease.”

Symptoms of infectious TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss. For people with symptoms of TB, or who are immune-compromised and may not show symptoms, it is important that the individual sees their medical provider to rule out TB. Tuberculosis can be cured with antibiotics.

Individuals who would like more information on this exposure are asked to call:

• County TB Control Program (619) 692-8621
• Viejas Bingo Risk Management (619) 659-2422
• Sun Charter of San Diego (619) 336-9206

The number of annual TB cases in San Diego County has decreased since the early 1990s and has stabilized in recent years. There were 258 cases reported in 2016 and 237 in 2017. To date, 131 cases have been reported in 2018.