Tuberculosis case amid rise in respiratory illnesses in Coachella Valley
INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) - A tuberculosis case reported at Indio High School last week is drawing attention from health officials, who are also warning of a seasonal increase in respiratory illnesses across the Coachella Valley. Officials confirmed that a student at Indio High tested positive for tuberculosis (TB), a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs.
Dr. Euthym Kontaxis, a medical director at Eisenhower Health, says TB is not common, but cases do appear occasionally in the valley.
“It’s not as contagious as the common cold. Usually it’s in tight quarters... It’s not a hugely common infection. We see occasional patients with tuberculosis, and it can range from just a mild respiratory infection to someone very sick.”
Dr. Euthym Kontaxis, Eisenhower Health Medical Director
According to public health data, Riverside County reported 98 cases of TB in 2024, up from 63 in 2023. Health officials say the increase could be tied to more international travel and fewer people getting tested.
While TB remains relatively rare, doctors are also monitoring a rise in more common respiratory illnesses, including the cold, flu, and milder strains of COVID-19.
In response, health officials are urging the public to stay home when sick, wear a mask in crowded indoor settings, and get tested early if symptoms develop.
“It is important to test when you have an upper respiratory infection or you lose your taste buds — mainly because there are medications we can give to patients who are at risk that can shorten the disease."
Dr. Euthym Kontaxis, Eisenhower Health Medical Director
With flu season approaching, local health departments are also encouraging residents to get vaccinated to stay protected.
Stay with News Channel 3 for more.
