Kansas Tuberculosis Outbreak, Largest in US History, Hits 67 Active Cases Across Two Counties – Latest Details
Kansas City is battling an “unprecedented” tuberculosis outbreak affecting two counties, with health officials warning that the spread remains ongoing and may not be contained yet.
A tuberculosis outbreak, the largest in U.S. history, has infected 67 people in Wyandotte and Johnson counties as of January 24, 2025. Wyandotte County accounts for 60 cases, while Johnson County has seven.
A doctor examines a lung x-ray | Source: Getty Images
Thewas first reported in 2024. It has since grown into thein U.S. history, according to Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) spokesperson Jill Bronaugh. “This is mainly due to the rapid number of cases in the short amount of time,” she.
Despite the severity of the outbreak, which has predominantly affected Wyandotte County, the KDHEa “very low risk” to the general public, including nearby counties. However, officials urge continued vigilance to prevent further spread.
“This outbreak is still ongoing, which means that there could be more cases,” Bronaugh. “There are a few other states that currently have large outbreaks that are also ongoing.”
To address the outbreak, KDHE and local health departments are working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Their, treating infected individuals, and implementing measures to prevent new infections.
While the Kansas City metro area continues to grapple with this outbreak, statewide TB cases have seen a significant decline. In 2024, KDHE reported. By early 2025, these numbers had dropped to just.
Despite statewide improvements, the TB outbreak remains a concern. KDHE Deputy Secretary Ashley Goss said the outbreak began withand a similar number of latent infections last summer. Active cases have since dropped to about 32, showing progress in containment.
Gossthe outbreak “unprecedented” in a recent discussion with the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee. “Some of you are aware, we have and still have mobilized staff and resources addressing an unprecedented tuberculosis outbreak in one of our counties,” Gosslawmakers.
She, “We are working collaboratively with CDC on that. CDC remains on the ground with us to support. That’s not a negative. This is normal when there’s something unprecedented or a large outbreak of any kind, they will come and lend resources to us to help get a stop to that. We are trending in the right direction right now.”
Goss explained that active TB patients are generally no longer contagious after 10 days of medication and three negative sputum tests. “They can go about their lives, they don’t have to stay away from people, and they can go back to work, do the things, as long as they continue to take their meds,” she.
The treatment for both active and latent TB cases typically lasts several months. KDHE is also working with several large employers affected by the outbreak. TB is caused by theand primarily affects the lungs, though it can spread to the brain, kidneys, or spine.
TB exists in two forms: inactive (latent) and active. Latent TB occurs when the bacteria are dormant, meaning the person has no symptoms and cannot spread the disease. However, without treatment, latent TB can develop into active TB disease, which is contagious and potentially life-threatening.
Active TB issuch as a persistent cough lasting three weeks or more, chest pain, coughing up blood or mucus, fatigue, weight loss, fever, chills, and night sweats.
The disease spreads through the air when a person with active TB coughs, speaks, or sings, particularly in enclosed spaces with poor ventilation. The bacteria can remain airborne for hours, putting those nearby at risk of infection.
involves treating latent TB to stop it from progressing to the active stage. For active TB disease, several months of antibiotic treatment are required to eliminate the infection and prevent further spread.
Early detection, proper treatment, and public awareness are crucial to controlling TB and reducing the risk of severe outbreaks.
While health officials continue to monitor and manage the outbreak, the rapid spread has underscored the importance of early detection, treatment, and public awareness in preventing further escalation.
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