🦠 As of January 24, 2025, Kansas has reported one of the most significant tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks in recent U.S. history. According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 67 people have developed active TB, with 60 cases in Wyandotte County and 7 in Johnson County. Additionally, 79 individuals have tested positive for latent TB infection (LTBI)—a form of the disease that remains dormant but can become active later, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems.

While this is not the largest TB outbreak in the nation’s history, the numbers are concerning and warrant attention. Two deaths have been reported so far, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.

🔬 What Is Tuberculosis (TB)?

TB is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs but can spread to other organs. TB is transmitted through airborne droplets released when an infected person coughs, speaks, laughs, or sings. In crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, the bacteria can linger in the air, making transmission more likely.

TB can present in two forms:

• Active TB: The person is symptomatic and contagious.
• Latent TB (LTBI): The person is infected but shows no symptoms and cannot spread the disease. However, LTBI can turn into active TB if left untreated—especially in those with health conditions like HIV, diabetes, or those on immunosuppressive therapies.

🧪 Symptoms of Active TB

Watch for these symptoms, especially if they persist over several weeks:

• Persistent cough (lasting more than 3 weeks)
• Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
• Chest pain during breathing or coughing
• Fatigue and weakness
• Unintended weight loss
• Fever, chills, or night sweats
• Loss of appetite

💉 Treatment and Prevention

TB is curable, but it requires strict adherence to a multi-drug treatment regimen over several months.

Standard Treatment Plans:

• Active TB: Typically treated with a 6-month course of four primary antibiotics:
  • Rifampin
  • Isoniazid
  • Pyrazinamide
  • Ethambutol
    These may be adjusted for patient-specific factors, especially in cases of drug resistance, pregnancy, or co-existing health conditions.
• Latent TB (LTBI):
  • 4 months of daily rifampin, or
  • 3 months of once-weekly isoniazid and rifapentine (known as the 3HP regimen)

Adherence Matters:

If treatment is not completed, TB bacteria may survive and develop resistance, resulting in multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), which is much more difficult and expensive to treat.

🧬 Why This Outbreak Matters

TB has been declining in the U.S. since the 1990s, but that trend has reversed in recent years. The CDC reported over 8,700 TB cases in 2023, signaling a rise toward pre-pandemic levels.

Health experts attribute this resurgence to several factors:

• COVID-19 pandemic disruptions, which limited access to diagnostic and treatment services.
• Delays in identifying and isolating cases, leading to ongoing community transmission.
• Medication shortages, particularly of rifampin and isoniazid, during supply chain interruptions.

🛡️ Public Health Response in Kansas

The response to the Kansas outbreak has involved swift coordination between local, state, and federal health agencies, including:

• Active contact tracing to identify and test those exposed.
• Screening for latent TB, especially in households and communities with known exposures.
• Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) programs to ensure patients complete treatment.
• Educational outreach to raise community awareness and reduce stigma.

Officials have emphasized that the general public is at low risk, but ongoing monitoring is essential to prevent further spread.

💉 What About the TB Vaccine?

The BCG vaccine (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) is used in many high-burden countries to protect infants from severe forms of TB (such as TB meningitis). However, in the U.S., the CDC does not recommend routine BCG vaccination due to:

• Low incidence rates
• Variable effectiveness in adults
• Interference with TB skin test results

Instead, the U.S. focuses on screening and treating latent infections to reduce the risk of future outbreaks.

✅ What You Can Do

While the risk to the general public remains low, awareness and prevention are key:

• If you’re experiencing persistent respiratory symptoms, especially a long-lasting cough or night sweats, consult a healthcare provider.
• Encourage loved ones in affected areas to participate in testing and follow treatment plans if needed.
• Stay informed about public health alerts in your region.
• Support community health initiatives focused on TB education and outreach.

📖 Reference

ABC News. (2025, January 24). Kansas faces one of the largest tuberculosis outbreaks in US history. Retrieved from: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/kansas-faces-largest-tuberculosis-outbreak-us-history-health/story?id=118174420