2 Employees at Del Mar Fair Positive for Tuberculosis

Two food employees working at the Del Mar Fairgrounds have been diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) and may have exposed other employees, San Diego County Health and Human Services officials said.

The patients, who work for Premier Food Service, may have infected others between Feb. 5 and June 23, though the potentially contaminated facilities are not accessible to the general public.

Health officials say they are working with Premier management to notify those working at the company’s fairgrounds area.

There is no indication anyone from the general public is at risk, according to officials.

“Safety is always our number one priority,” said Linda Zweig with the Del Mar Fairgrounds. “The public is not at risk.”

County Public Health Officer Wilma Wooten said it takes more than casual contact, like shaking someone’s hand or sharing food, to spread TB.

“TB usually requires many hours of close, sustained indoor contact to spread to others, so most people who are exposed do not develop the disease,” said county public health officer Wilma Wooten.

The county has offered Premier staff TB testing if they believe they have been exposed, and both confirmed cases are undergoing further tests to see if they are related.

Symptoms of active TB include cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss, Wooten said.

“Most people who are exposed to TB do not develop the disease,” she said, “but when it does occur, it can be treated and cured with medication; that’s why it’s important to identify those who have been exposed.”

According to health officials, TB has been decreasing in San Diego County, though it is not uncommon. In 2015, there have been 89 reported cases, while 2014 saw 220 cases.

Call the County TB Control Program at 619-692-8621 for more information about the potential exposure.

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