Health officials in Kansas have reported one of the largest tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks in the United States, with dozens of active cases identified in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
As of January 24, 67 active TB cases and 79 latent infections have been recorded in Wyandotte and Johnson counties, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).
The outbreak, which began last year, has drawn the attention of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with four staff members assisting local health authorities in contact tracing, testing, and public education efforts. Despite the significant number of cases, health officials emphasized that the public risk remains low.
Tuberculosis is an airborne bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It typically affects the lungs but can also impact other parts of the body, such as the brain and spine. The disease can be fatal if left untreated.
Symptoms of active TB include a persistent cough that may produce blood-streaked phlegm, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss. The infection spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Prolonged exposure in enclosed spaces is usually required for transmission.
Latent TB infections occur when the bacteria remain dormant in the body without causing symptoms. Although these cases are not contagious, they can become active if left untreated.
The KDHE has been working closely with the CDC to contain the outbreak, which is concentrated in eastern Kansas. Health officials have not identified a specific source for the outbreak.
Jill Bronaugh, a spokesperson for the KDHE, described the situation as the largest TB outbreak in recent state history. However, the CDC clarified that the Kansas outbreak is not the largest in modern US history. A previous outbreak in Georgia between 2015 and 2017, linked to homeless shelters, led to over 170 active cases and more than 400 latent cases.
Despite the growing number of cases, experts have reassured the public that attending large gatherings, such as sports events, poses minimal risk for TB transmission.
“TB doesn’t spread in sudden bursts like the flu or COVID-19,” noted Ginny Boos, director of infection prevention at Saint Luke’s Health System in Kansas City.
Boos emphasized that individuals with chronic health conditions or weakened immune systems should remain cautious if they have been in prolonged contact with someone with an active TB infection.
The outbreak comes amid a rise in TB cases both nationally and globally. In the US, reported TB cases increased by 15% from 2022 to 2023, with over 9,600 cases documented last year, according to the CDC. Globally, the World Health Organization reported that TB surpassed COVID-19 as the leading infectious disease-related cause of death in 2023.
The pandemic’s disruptions to healthcare, combined with increased international travel, are believed to have contributed to the rise in TB cases.
