Once-Eradicated Disease STRIKES Again

A tuberculosis outbreak at a San Francisco private school raises urgent questions about public health screening failures and the risks posed by California’s lax border and health policies that allow communicable diseases to resurface in American communities.

Story Snapshot

Three active tuberculosis cases confirmed at Archbishop Riordan High School since November 2025, triggering official outbreak declaration
All 1,250 students and staff face mandatory testing by February 20, 2026, or campus exclusion as health officials scramble to contain spread
San Francisco reported 63 active TB cases in 2023, revealing the city’s ongoing struggle with a disease once nearly eradicated in America
School cancels events and mandates indoor masking while TB’s flu-like symptoms complicate early detection efforts

Outbreak Confirmed at Catholic High School

The San Francisco Department of Public Health confirmed three active tuberculosis cases at Archbishop Riordan High School, a private Catholic all-boys institution, with the third case identified on January 27, 2026. The first case emerged in November 2025, followed by two additional infections despite initial containment efforts. SFDPH declared an official outbreak, meeting the National Institutes of Health definition of three or more active cases. The school’s close-quarters environment, housing approximately 1,150 students and 100 staff members, created ideal conditions for airborne transmission through coughs and sneezes.

Mandatory Testing and Event Cancellations Implemented

Health officials ordered mandatory tuberculosis testing for all students and staff by February 20, 2026, with campus exclusion imposed on anyone who fails to comply. School President Tim Reardon announced cancellations of rallies and basketball games for untested individuals while implementing indoor masking requirements. Close contacts received direct email notifications about potential exposure. The testing mandate follows initial screening efforts in January that failed to prevent additional cases. This aggressive response underscores the seriousness of TB’s airborne transmission method and the challenge of controlling outbreaks in densely populated school settings where students interact constantly.

California’s Public Health Crisis Exposed

San Francisco reported 63 active tuberculosis cases in 2023, exposing the city’s endemic struggle with a disease that proper border controls and health screening could prevent. Tuberculosis spreads through airborne droplets from infected individuals, with 90 to 95 percent of infections remaining latent and activating in 5 to 10 percent of cases, particularly among immunocompromised populations. Dr. Peter Chin-Hong of UCSF noted TB is “slow growing and quiet,” mimicking common cold or flu symptoms, which delays detection during the disease’s up-to-ten-week incubation period. This outbreak highlights the consequences of San Francisco’s sanctuary policies and inadequate public health infrastructure.

Families Face Disruption and Health Concerns

The outbreak affects approximately 1,250 students, staff members, and their families, with particular concern for households containing newborns or immunocompromised individuals. Parents like Karla Rivas expressed confidence in the school’s handling of the situation, though students face event cancellations and anxiety over testing results. Archbishop Riordan’s administration committed to “frequent, consistent updates” and implementation of “every measure” to ensure safety. While tuberculosis remains treatable with antibiotics when detected, the disease’s resurgence in American schools represents a troubling public health failure. This incident serves as a stark reminder that open-border policies and inadequate health screening create vulnerability to diseases once conquered through vigilant American public health standards.