Shock Tuberculosis Outbreak in Kansas: 67 Active Cases and Counting!

Kansas City is dealing with an “unprecedented” tuberculosis (TB) outbreak that is affecting two counties. Health officials are concerned that the spread of the disease is still ongoing, and it may not be stopped yet.

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As of January 24, 2025, the outbreak has impacted 67 people in Wyandotte and Johnson counties. Wyandotte County has seen 60 cases, and Johnson County has 7.

The outbreak, which was first reported in 2024, has become the largest TB outbreak in U.S. history. According to Jill Bronaugh from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), the rapid increase in cases in such a short period is why this is the largest documented outbreak.

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Even though the outbreak is serious, it has mainly affected Wyandotte County. KDHE reports that the risk to the general public, including people in nearby counties, is “very low.” However, officials are still urging people to stay alert to prevent more cases.

“This outbreak is still ongoing, so more cases could appear,” said Bronaugh. “Other states also have large outbreaks happening right now.”

To manage the situation, KDHE and local health departments are working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Their efforts include tracking cases, treating those infected, and preventing new infections.

While the Kansas City area is still dealing with the outbreak, TB cases across the state have decreased significantly. In 2024, there were 109 active TB cases and 626 latent infections in Kansas. By early 2025, these numbers had dropped to just one active case and seven latent infections.

Despite the statewide improvement, the outbreak in Kansas City is still a concern. Deputy Secretary Ashley Goss from KDHE said the outbreak started last summer with 65 active cases and a similar number of latent infections. Since then, the number of active cases has decreased to about 32, which shows that progress is being made.

Goss called the situation “unprecedented” during a recent meeting with lawmakers. “We’ve had to mobilize staff and resources to address this outbreak in one of our counties,” she told the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee. “We are working with the CDC. They are here to support us, which is normal during a big outbreak.”

She also mentioned that TB patients who are on medication for at least 10 days and have three negative tests are usually no longer contagious. “They can go about their normal lives as long as they keep taking their medication,” Goss added.

The treatment for both active and latent TB lasts several months. KDHE is also working with employers who have been affected by the outbreak. TB is caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis and mostly affects the lungs, but it can spread to other parts of the body, including the brain, kidneys, and spine.

There are two forms of TB: latent and active. Latent TB means the bacteria are inactive, and the person has no symptoms and cannot spread the disease. But if not treated, latent TB can turn into active TB, which is contagious and can be dangerous.

Active TB causes symptoms like a cough that lasts for three weeks or more, chest pain, coughing up blood or mucus, fatigue, weight loss, fever, chills, and night sweats.

The disease spreads when someone with active TB coughs, talks, or sings, especially in places with poor ventilation. The bacteria can stay in the air for hours, putting people nearby at risk.

To stop TB from spreading, it’s important to treat latent TB before it becomes active. For active TB, treatment with antibiotics for several months is needed to kill the infection and stop it from spreading.

Early detection, treatment, and raising awareness about the disease are key to controlling TB and preventing more outbreaks. Health officials are continuing to monitor the situation and stress the importance of taking quick action to keep the outbreak from getting worse.