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Kansas Reports Largest Tuberculosis Outbreak in U.S. History

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Jan 28, 2025.

By India Edwards HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, Jan. 28, 2025 -- Kansas health officials are fighting the largest tuberculosis (TB) outbreak in U.S. history, with 67 confirmed cases since new year began.

The outbreak includes 60 active cases in Wyandotte County and seven in Johnson County, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). That's the most since the 1950s, when the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began monitoring and reporting TB cases.

Health officials are testing and treating affected individuals.

"While there is a very low risk of infection to the general public in these communities, KDHE is working to ensure that patients are receiving appropriate treatment, which will limit the ability to spread this disease and prevent additional cases from occurring," KDHE spokeswoman Jill Bronaugh told the University of Minnesota's CIDRAP News in an email. "This outbreak is still ongoing, which means that there could be more cases."

TB is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, according to the CDC.

It spreads through the air when someone with active TB disease coughs or speaks. People who spend time in close contact with someone who has active TB are at greatest risk of infection.

TB typically affects the lungs but can also harm the brain, kidneys or spine. Here are the two forms:

• Latent TB infection: The bacteria are inactive and cause no symptoms. People with latent TB cannot spread the disease to others but may develop TB if untreated.

• TB disease: This form is contagious and can cause symptoms such as a persistent cough, chest pain, fatigue, weight loss and night sweats.

Kansas health officials are regularly screening anyone who tests positive to determine whether they have latent TB infection or active TB. Treatment for latent TB typically involves one or more medications, such as isoniazid or rifampin, for up to nine months.

Active TB typically requires a longer treatment course with combinations of drugs, including ethambutol, rifampin and pyrazinamide.

Although a TB vaccine exists (Bacille Calmette-Guérin), it is not commonly used in the U.S., the CDC said.

Certain groups face a higher risk of TB, including people who:

• Were born in or travel to countries where TB is common, such as in Asia, Africa or Latin America.

• Live or work in settings like homeless shelters, prisons or nursing homes.

• Recently spent time with someone who has active TB.

• Have weakened immune systems due to health conditions or medications.

Local health departments in Kansas are conducting free testing for individuals, regardless of insurance coverage.

SOURCES: Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), news release, Jan. 24, 2025; University of Minnesota CIDRAP News, news release, Jan. 27, 2025, USA Today, media report, Jan. 27, 2025

What This Means For You

If you live in Kansas, especially in Wyandotte or Johnson County, consider getting tested for TB if you are at risk or have symptoms.

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Posted January 2025

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