San Diego County Cites Reporting Lapses at Otay Mesa Detention Center
San Diego County health officials found that two tuberculosis cases at the Otay Mesa Detention Center were not reported within the required 24-hour window. The county only learned about the cases through a medical testing vendor, and the facility reportedly…
San Diego, CA, August 11, 2026 —
San Diego County health officials have identified a failure by the Otay Mesa Detention Center to report two tuberculosis cases within the mandated 24-hour period, according to recent findings.
The county’s health department was alerted to the cases by a medical testing vendor, rather than through direct reporting from the detention facility itself. Reports indicate that the facility’s cooperation with the subsequent investigation was delayed by several weeks.
Despite the reporting delay, county health officials stated that no detainee is currently considered to be at risk of exposure to tuberculosis.
This lapse in timely reporting was among several concerns documented during an inspection conducted in June. Other issues noted during the inspection included a shortage of available vaccines for detainees and delays in providing necessary medical devices.
At the time of the June inspection, the Otay Mesa Detention Center was under the operation of CoreCivic. The facility has since been sold and is now under the ownership of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Story summarized from the original created by Heidi de Marco on www.kpbs.org, see more information here.
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