Officials probe Tuberculosis (TB) outbreak at prominent high school

Outbreak Announcement and Link to School

An outbreak of tuberculosis (TB) has been connected to Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco, as announced by the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) in a health advisory on January 29. The outbreak involves three active TB cases diagnosed among individuals associated with the school since November 2025, along with over 50 identified latent TB infections within the school community. TB is a curable bacterial infection primarily affecting the lungs but capable of spreading to other organs, transmitted through airborne means like coughing, sneezing, or saliva. While latent TB is not contagious, it can progress to active disease in 5% to 10% of cases.

Health Risks and Statistics

In the United States, TB remains a significant concern, with over 565 deaths reported in the most recent year of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and a case fatality rate exceeding 10% in San Francisco. Approximately 25% of people may have been exposed to the TB bacteria, but only 5% to 10% develop symptoms and become contagious. Those at highest risk include individuals with diabetes, weakened immunity, malnutrition, tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, as well as babies and children. TB is described as a “social disease of crowding and mobility,” spreading more easily in congregate settings like schools, hospitals, and shelters.

Symptoms and Disease Impact

Symptoms of active TB can be mild and often mistaken for allergies, smoking effects, or a persistent cold, including coughing, chest pain, fatigue, weight loss, weakness, fever, and night sweats. In severe cases, patients may cough up blood, and the disease can affect organs beyond the lungs, such as the kidneys, spine, skin, and brain, with over 80% of cases involving lung infection that facilitates airborne spread. If left untreated, TB is fatal in about half of cases, though 25% may recover naturally and another 25% persist as chronic infections. Rapid diagnostic tests are available for identification.

Treatment, Prevention, and Response Measures

TB is treated with daily antibiotics like isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol for four to six months, but incomplete treatment can lead to drug-resistant strains requiring alternative medications. Prevention focuses on testing at-risk individuals and treating latent infections. In response to the outbreak, school staff and students must stay home if sick and obtain medical clearance before returning, with mandatory TB evaluations for all affiliated individuals every eight weeks until resolved. Preventive treatments are being provided, and officials note the risk to the general public remains low, with no broader measures required outside the school community. Fox News Digital has sought comment from the school.

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