The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has clarified that the ongoing tuberculosis outbreak in Kansas City is the largest in the US over a one-year period, not the largest ever recorded. The outbreak, which began in January 2024, has resulted in 67 confirmed active cases and 79 confirmed latent cases, with two deaths.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had previously stated that this was the largest documented outbreak in U.S. history since reporting started in the 1950s. However, a CDC spokesperson disputed this claim, pointing to previous outbreaks in 2015-2017 and 2021.
KDHE officials say the Kansas outbreak is still larger than the 2021 outbreak, which involved 113 patients from 18 states. The 2015-17 outbreak was linked to homeless shelters in Georgia, while the 2021 outbreak was nationwide and involved contaminated bone allografts.
According to KDHE, tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium that typically affects the lungs. People with an active infection can spread it to others, while those with a latent infection cannot. The disease is treatable with antibiotics, and state public health officials say there is “very low risk” to the general public.
The CDC is providing on-site assistance in Kansas, including contact tracing, testing, and community health education. Four CDC staff members are also working with community leaders to educate people about tuberculosis prevention and treatment.
Source: https://eu.cjonline.com/story/news/politics/government/2025/01/31/kansas-public-health-officials-clarify-claim-on-tuberculosis-outbreak/78021011007