Alert: TB Exposure Risk for Blue Line Trolley Riders in the US 

TB Exposure Risk for Blue Line Trolley Riders in the US. Credit | ABC 10News
TB Exposure Risk for Blue Line Trolley Riders in the US. Credit | ABC 10News

United States: Metropolitan Transit System, in conjunction with San Diego County’s Tuberculosis Program, issued an advisory on Tuesday, alerting passengers of the Blue Line trolley to potential tuberculosis (TB) exposure risks. 

Exposure Timeframe and Affected Routes 

The exposure period spans from January 27 to February 29, affecting specific routes: 

Blue Line between 24th Street Transit Center and Barrio Logan Transit Center, Monday to Friday, typically between 10:30 am and 2:30 pm. 

– Blue Line between San Ysidro Transit Center and Old Town Transit Center, approximately from 5 am to 7 am, and from Old Town to San Ysidro between 6 pm and 7 pm on Friday, February 16. 

Given the sporadic exposure times, the probability of passengers having prolonged cumulative exposure is minimal, according to county officials. These incidents are not linked to any previously reported TB exposures within the MTS system, as reported by nbcsandiego.com.  

TB Exposure Risk for Blue Line Trolley Riders in the US. Credit | NIAID
TB Exposure Risk for Blue Line Trolley Riders in the US. Credit | NIAID

Understanding Tuberculosis Transmission and Symptoms 

TB is an airborne malady, transmissible through inhalation of the bacteria present in the air. Individuals with frequent and prolonged indoor exposure to a TB-infected person should undergo testing. 

“Active TB symptoms encompass persistent coughing, fever, nocturnal sweats, and unexplained weight loss,” stated Dr. Wilma Wooten, county public health officer. 

“Post-exposure, most individuals do not fall ill immediately. This condition, termed latent TB infection, can develop into active TB disease years later if untreated. Blood tests and skin tests can ascertain TB infection,” according to nbcsandiego.com. 

Preventative Measures and Treatment 

There exist certain drugs for the treatment of latent TB, and the use of these drugs eliminates the infection and also prevents the development of active TB disease. 

Secondary TB infection is more prevalent in people who have extensive contact with the indoors in a given household with a TB-positive member. Nonetheless, it is noteworthy that products of brief exposures are less likely to get infected compared to those of frequent and lengthy interpersonal contact. 

TB Statistics and Public Health Recommendations 

The County TB Control Program reported 193 cases of TB in year 2020, 201 in year 2021, and 208 in the first three months of year 2022. Data from 2023 revealed that there was an escalation of active TB cases to reach 243. 

Data from local health departments reveal that about 175,000 of San Diego’s population have latent tuberculosis infections that could reactivate to active TB if they are not supervised closely. People with negative tests but still demonstrating no symptoms should go get a chest X-ray since they could be at risk of having a latent TB infection, as well as consult their doctor, according to nbcsandiego.com.  

Hence through ensuring that there is a constant vigil to susceptible individuals and taking all necessary health precautions, the spread of this crippling disease – tuberculosis, is controllable, thus protecting public health.