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Health officials in Kansas report a significant TB outbreak affecting at least 146 people in the northeast region. As of Friday, 67 active cases were being treated in the metro area, with most (60) in Wyandotte County and seven in Johnson County. Inactive infections, where individuals carry the bacteria without symptoms, included 79 cases: 77 in Wyandotte and two in Johnson. This marks the largest documented U.S. TB outbreak history; CDC monitoring began in 1950s.
The current outbreak is the biggest on record. More unconfirmed cases likely exist. Last year saw similar numbers but less severe, with 79 active and 213 latent cases nationwide, including two deaths linked to this surge.
CDC support has been crucial, updated KDHE last week about an unprecedented surge due to rising global TB cases. U.S.-born individuals are disproportionately affected. Resources for TB in the U.S. have been diverted from COVID-19. More than half of global TB cases occur in low/middle-income countries; major outbreaks in regions like India and Indonesia.
TB spreads through coughing, speaking, or singing. Active cases show symptoms like coughing blood or night sweats, while latent infections require treatment to prevent progression. A TB vaccine isn’t widely used in the U.S., with most cases outside the country. The surge in the U.S. is due to global trends and reduced CDC resources.
In summary, KS faces a severe TB outbreak with CDC support; it’s part of broader global challenges affecting low-income areas heavily.
Source: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kansas-tuberculosis-outbreak_n_6797e43fe4b0792017b7955d