67 confirmed active TB cases reported, CDC assists in containment efforts

Kansas is currently experiencing one of the largest tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks ever recorded in the United States, according to state health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

As of January 24, 67 cases of active TB have been confirmed—60 in Wyandotte County, which includes part of Kansas City, and seven in neighboring Johnson County. Additionally, health authorities have identified 79 latent TB cases, the majority of which are in Wyandotte County, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reported.

The outbreak, first detected in January 2024, has already resulted in two deaths, both occurring last year.

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CDC calls outbreak one of the largest in U.S. history

A CDC spokesperson told ABC News that while this outbreak is among the most significant in U.S. history, it is not the largest. The agency pointed to previous outbreaks in 2015, linked to a homeless shelter, and in 2021, connected to contaminated bone graft surgeries, as having surpassed the current situation in Kansas.

The CDC has dispatched a team to assist state and local health officials in containing the outbreak. However, Kansas health authorities emphasize that the risk to surrounding counties and the general public remains “very low.”

Understanding tuberculosis: Transmission, symptoms, and risks

Tuberculosis, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, speaks, or sings, releasing germs that can linger for hours before being inhaled by others.

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Symptoms of active TB include:

• A persistent cough lasting three weeks or longer
• Coughing up blood or phlegm
• Chest pain
• Weakness and fatigue
• Unintentional weight loss and loss of appetite
• Fever, chills, and night sweats

Some individuals carry TB bacteria without showing symptoms, a condition known as latent TB. While latent TB is not contagious, it can progress to active TB if left untreated.

Rising TB cases despite decades of decline

According to CDC data, the U.S. reported more than 8,700 TB cases in 2024. Although TB cases had been steadily declining since the mid-1990s, rates began rising again in 2021, 2022, and 2023, with last year’s divs matching pre-pandemic levels.

Treatment for TB typically lasts between four and nine months, with specific regimens tailored for patients with underlying health conditions such as diabetes or HIV.

While the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is widely used in countries where TB is more prevalent, it is generally not recommended in the U.S. due to the lower risk of infection, variable effectiveness in adults, and potential interference with TB testing.

As Kansas health officials work to contain the outbreak, public health experts continue to stress the importance of early detection, treatment, and preventative measures to curb the spread of the disease.