An outbreak of tuberculosis (TB) is currently affecting the Kansas City metropolitan area, marking one of the largest incidents of its kind ever recorded in the United States. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced as of January 24, 2025, there are 67 active cases of TB across Wyandotte and Johnson counties.
Diving deep, 60 of these active cases have been reported from Wyandotte County, and seven from Johnson County, representing the most extensive outbreak since the 1950s, when the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began tracking and reporting TB cases. Infection rates have surged, signaling serious public health concerns, especially as the outbreak initially reported cases from 2024.
Jill Bronaugh, KDHE spokeswoman, provided insights, stating, "This outbreak is stillongoing, which means there could be more cases." She also clarified, "While there is a very low risk of infection to the general public in these communities, KDHE is working toensure patients are receiving appropriate treatment, which will limit the ability to spread this disease and prevent additional cases from occurring."
Tuberculosis, caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is typically transmitted through the air via droplets when infected individuals cough or sneeze. Unlike many other respiratory diseases, TB requires prolonged exposure for transmission to occur, making it less contagious. Dr. Dana Hawkinson, the medical director for infection prevention at the University of Kansas Health System, addressed public concerns, noting, "You are certainly at extremely low risk of cominginto contact and being infected with this organism." He emphasized the need for residents not to panic.
The outbreak has laid bare the existing challenges, particularly those stemming from missed TB diagnoses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Delays and declines in seeking treatment have compounded the resurgence of TB. "A large number of people who had extra pulmonary TB also didn't seek healthcare during the pandemic," said Dr. Ramya Ananthakrishnan, identifying the reasons why many infections may have gone undetected. Health authorities have pieced together the situation, determining the risk factors—certain populations are more susceptible due to conditions like malnutrition, HIV, and living situations, including jails and shelters.
Since the beginning of 2024, KDHE has started monitoring 384 people for potential exposure to TB, outlined by KDHE’s focus on widespread testing and treatment options. The KDHE is providing free testing, not requiring insurance coverage, which is welcomed news for many community members. While the existing Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine exists, it's rarely administered within the United States, primarily due to the low prevalence of TB.
Although health officials have assured the public about the low risk of infection, comparisons to historical outbreaks paint a different picture of how persistent TB has been. The CDC disputes claims concerning the scale of the Kansas outbreak, indicating there were larger outbreaks between 2015-2017 attributed to homeless shelters and associated with contaminated bone grafts. KDHE stands firm, declaring the current outbreak is record-breaking – "The total case count of tuberculosis associated with the current outbreak...is...the largest outbreak...over the span of one year since the CDC began reporting TB cases."
KDHE recognizes the need to continue assessments as investigations remain active around origins and settings related to the outbreak. Bronaugh discussed how no clear origin of the outbreak has been identified, which raises concerns about monitoring and support. "It is important to note this outbreak isongoing and cannot be compared to previous epidemics or outbreaks which have been declared over," she stated.
Tuberculosis symptoms typically include long-term cough, weight loss, night sweats, and fever. Most infected individuals can live without immediate symptoms, living with latent TB or undetected conditions as they await treatment. The challenge remains substantial; untreated infections can easily become active TB under the right conditions.
With health officials actively engaged, Kansas residents are urged to stay informed and participate in testing opportunities. Bronaugh and other public health officials continue to monitor the situation closely, cooperating with CDC personnel who assist with contact tracing and health education efforts to curtail the spread. Kansans who suspect exposure to TB are encouraged to reach out to the KDHE for guidance and access to necessary services.
Efforts to manage and prevent the outbreak reflect the collaborative work between local health departments and federal agencies as they strive to protect public health. With the current data highlighting 79 latent cases alongside the 67 active cases, the path forward will critically depend on community awareness, timely healthcare access, and the proactive management of potential risks. Many are hopeful as KDHE continues its outreach, aiming to contain this situation within the Kansas City metropolitan area.