Health Officials Alarmed by Tuberculosis Outbreak in Kansas

TUESDAY, Jan. 28, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Kansas health officials are tackling the largest tuberculosis (TB) outbreak in U.S. history, with 67 confirmed cases since the start of 2025.

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 is the most since the 1950s, when the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 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 CIDRAP News in an email. “This outbreak is still ongoing, which means that there could be more cases.”

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

Certain groups face a higher risk for TB, including people who were born in or travel to countries where TB is common, such as 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; or 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.

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