East County News Service

March 23, 2026 (San Diego County) --While tuberculosis (TB) is often dismissed as a disease of the past, San Diego County health officials warned Monday, March 23, that the region is currently a hotspot for the infection, with local rates now outpacing state and national averages.

In an event held at Waterfront Park on Monday morning, County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre and top health officials, including County Public Health Officer Dr. Sayone Thihalolipavan and Dr. Jeffrey Percak, Medical Director for County TB Prevention and Care, highlighted a concerning trend: after years of decline, the number of people diagnosed with TB in San Diego has been rising steadily since 2020.