Kansas Faces Largest Tuberculosis Outbreak in Decades

The outbreak, centered in Kansas City, has infected 67 people and caused two deaths, with public health efforts ongoing to contain its spread.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has reported 67 active tuberculosis cases, primarily in Wyandotte County, with two deaths linked to the outbreak since January 2024.
While state officials initially claimed this is the largest tuberculosis outbreak in U.S. history, the CDC refuted this, citing larger outbreaks in recent years, including one in Georgia from 2015 to 2017.
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs and spreads through airborne particles; latent infections, which are non-contagious, remain a concern for future activation.
The outbreak has prompted ongoing testing, treatment, and health education efforts, with 384 individuals currently being monitored by KDHE for various stages of infection and risk.
Experts note that while the outbreak is significant, the general public's risk remains low due to the nature of tuberculosis transmission requiring prolonged close contact.