Kansas health officials are responding to an outbreak of tuberculosis (TB) that has spread across two counties near Kansas City. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment(KDHE) said the outbreak is the largest in U.S. history, but federal officials dispute the claim.
Reported tuberculosis cases in Kansas
Since January 2024, the KDHE has confirmed 67 cases of TB in Wyandotte County and Johnson County. Of those 67 cases, two people have died.
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Wyandotte County is reporting the most cases, with 60 infections. Johnson County, located just south of Kansas City, makes up the remaining seven.
In addition to the confirmed cases, public health officials say 79 individuals have been exposed to TB bacteria but have not yet shown symptoms.
While Kansas officials call it “the largest documented outbreak in U.S. history,” the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it’s currently among the largest.
Federal officials point to other large TB outbreaks in recent years. A 2015 outbreak in Georgia infected more than 170 people, with hundreds more testing positive for the bacteria. More recently, a 2021 outbreak linked to a contaminated bone graft product infected 113 surgery patients.
How tuberculosis spreads, local response
According to the CDC, TB is a contagious, airborne disease that typically spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. While it is curable with proper medication, untreated TB can be fatal. The bacteria can target any body part but most commonly affect the lungs, kidneys or brain.
Despite the outbreak’s toll, Kansas officials said the risk to the general public remains very low. The KDHE is working closely with the CDC to monitor the situation and prevent further spread.
