A tuberculosis (TB) outbreak has become the largest ever recorded in U.S. history. Since early 2024, officials have reported 67 active TB cases and 79 latent cases.
The World Health Organization recorded 8.2 million global TB cases in 2023. This is the highest number since WHO began tracking TB in 1995. Last year, tuberculosis once again became the world’s deadliest disease.
What Do We Know About the Tuberculosis Outbreak?
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) confirmed the outbreak. Most cases have occurred in Wyandotte County, part of the Kansas City metro area. KDHE is working with local health officials to ensure proper treatment.
Jill Branagh, KDHE’s Communications Director, said this is the largest Kansas TB outbreak since the CDC began tracking cases in the 1950s. The outbreak is still ongoing, meaning more cases may emerge.
KDHE reported 79 active and 213 latent TB cases in 2024. These numbers are provisional and awaiting CDC confirmation. Officials have linked two TB-related deaths to the outbreak this year.
Government agencies say the risk to the general public is low. However, they are ensuring all patients receive proper treatment to prevent further spread. Officials are following CDC guidelines to contain the outbreak.
What Are the Trends in TB Cases in Kansas and the U.S.?
In September 2023, KDHE published a report on a past outbreak of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Kansas City. That outbreak involved 13 people.
Between 2019 and 2021, Kansas reported 37 to 43 TB cases each year. In 2022, cases rose to 52, partly due to MDR-TB.
TB cases have been rising nationwide. The CDC reported 9,633 TB cases in the U.S. in 2023. This was the highest number since 2013 and marked the third consecutive yearly increase.
TB incidence rose 15% from 2022. Most cases occurred in people born outside the U.S.
The World Health Organization recorded 8.2 million global TB cases in 2023. This was the highest number since WHO began tracking TB in 1995.
The CDC estimates that 13 million people in the U.S. have latent TB. Without treatment, some of these cases could become active.
Most TB cases in the U.S. occur in California, Texas, New York, and Florida. In 2023, these four states accounted for over 50% of all TB cases.
What Is the Difference Between Active and Latent Tuberculosis?
TB spreads through the air and mainly affects the lungs. The disease is treatable with antibiotics, but without treatment, it can be fatal.
Active TB causes symptoms and is contagious. Common symptoms include a cough lasting three weeks or more, coughing up blood or phlegm, chest pain, fever, and chills. Other symptoms include night sweats, weight loss, loss of appetite, weakness, and fatigue. Without treatment, active TB can be deadly.
Latent TB has no symptoms and is not contagious. However, about 10% of latent cases become active without treatment. A person with active TB is no longer contagious shortly after starting treatment.
Who Is at the Highest Risk for TB, and How Is It Treated?
Certain groups face a higher risk of TB infection. These include:
- People living in shelters, jails, or prisons
- Those who travel to or are from TB-endemic regions
- Individuals exposed to someone with active TB
- People with weakened immune systems
- Workers in hospitals, shelters, correctional facilities, and nursing homes
The CDC recommends blood testing for high-risk individuals. Blood and skin tests are available to detect infection.
Latent TB treatment lasts 3 to 9 months and includes three medications. Active TB treatment lasts 4 to 9 months and can involve up to six medications. People with conditions like diabetes or HIV may require special treatments.
A TB vaccine, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), is given to children in high-risk countries. However, it is not recommended in the U.S. due to low infection risk and variable effectiveness in adults. The vaccine often leaves a small scar where the shot was administered.
Health officials say the general risk to the public from TB remains very low.
Conclusion
TB cases are rising in Kansas and across the U.S. Health officials are working to contain the largest recorded outbreak in U.S. history. While the general risk is low, early testing and treatment remain critical.
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Logan Hamilton is a health and wellness freelance writer for hire. He’s passionate about crafting crystal-clear, captivating, and credible content that elevates brands and establishes trust. When not writing, Logan can be found hiking, sticking his nose in bizarre books, or playing drums in a local rock band. Find him at loganjameshamilton.com.
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