NewsKPBS Public MediaAugust 12, 2026San Diego
San Diego County reports Otay Mesa Detention Center failed to report tuberculosis cases on time
San Diego County officials found that the Otay Mesa Detention Center failed to report two tuberculosis cases within the mandatory 24-hour window during a June 12 inspection. The inspection also revealed a lack of on-site vaccines and significant delays in providing medical devices to detainees.
Read the full story at KPBS Public MediaWhy It Matters
Timely reporting of tuberculosis is required to allow public health officials to conduct and prevent the spread of infectious diseases in high-risk, .
Key Facts
- San Diego County requires suspected or confirmed tuberculosis cases to be reported within 24 hours.
- Two tuberculosis cases were not reported by facility staff during the June 12 inspection.
- The county learned of the TB cases through a medical testing vendor rather than the facility.
- The facility took several weeks to cooperate with the county's communicable disease investigation.
- Inspectors found the facility had no vaccines available on-site.
- One detainee had not received a needed medical device 18 months after admission.
- The facility is not legally required to follow the county's inspection recommendations.
- The county intends to seek annual inspections of the facility moving forward.
- Findings are being sent to the California Department of Public Health and the California Attorney General.
Who's Mentioned
organizationU.S. Department of Homeland Security“The current owner of the facility.”personRob Bonta“California Attorney General.”organizationCoreCivic“The private company that operated the facility at the time of inspection.”personDr. Annie Cowell“Infectious disease specialist at UC San Diego.”organizationSan Diego County“The local government body conducting the inspection.”organizationCalifornia Department of Public Health“Recipient of the inspection findings.”locationOtay Mesa Detention Center“The facility where the inspection took place.”