An ongoing tuberculosis outbreak in Kansas has become the largest in recorded history in the United States. Currently, Kansas has the largest outbreak that they’ve ever had in history. As of Jan. 17, public health officials reported 66 active TB cases and 79 latent infections in the Kansas City metro area since 2024. Most of the cases have been in Wyandotte County, with a few in Johnson County.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been monitoring TB cases since the 1950s. Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium that typically affects the lungs. People with active infections feel sick and can spread the disease, while those with latent infections don’t feel sick and can’t transmit it. The disease spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs, speaks, or sings.
Public health officials emphasize that the risk to the general public is very low. In 2023, there were 51 active cases statewide; in 2024, this jumped to 109. So far in 2025, there’s been one active case. State officials have mobilized staff and resources to address the outbreak and are working with CDC for support.
Last summer, when KDHE got involved with the Kansas City outbreak, there were 65 active cases. Now, that number has dropped to about 32. After 10 days of treatment and three sputum tests, most patients can no longer spread TB. Public health officials are hopeful that most new cases will be latent rather than active, allowing individuals to return to work without restrictions.
This outbreak marks a significant milestone in U.S. history, with Kansas leading the way in TB cases for the first time.
Source: https://eu.cjonline.com/story/news/politics/government/2025/01/24/kansas-tuberculosis-outbreak-is-largest-in-recorded-history-in-u-s/77881467007