Kansas is grappling with a tuberculosis outbreak that has infected dozens of people, prompting concern from health officials. While the state’s health department claims it is the largest outbreak in U.S. history, federal agencies have pushed back against that assertion. Still, the scale of the infections has raised alarms, particularly in Wyandotte County, where the majority of cases have been reported.
Conflicting Reports Over the Severity of the Outbreak
Kansas health officials have described the outbreak as unprecedented. Ashley Goss, Deputy Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), told lawmakers this is “the largest outbreak they’ve ever had in history.” A KDHE spokesperson later took it a step further, calling it the biggest tuberculosis outbreak the country has ever seen.
However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) disagrees. The agency points to two larger outbreaks in recent years: one in Georgia, where tuberculosis spread through homeless shelters and infected over 170 people between 2015 and 2017, and another that affected 113 patients after they received contaminated tissue in bone transplants.
Despite the debate over historical comparisons, Kansas is seeing an unusually high number of cases.
Where Are the Cases Concentrated?
Kansas has reported 67 active tuberculosis cases as of January 24. This is a slight decline from 79 reported earlier in the year. However, the numbers remain concerning.
- 60 cases have been identified in Wyandotte County, the hardest-hit area.
- 7 cases have been reported in neighboring Johnson County.
In addition to active cases, Kansas has identified 79 latent tuberculosis cases—asymptomatic infections that can turn active. A provisional 2024 report suggests there may be 213 latent cases in total.
The CDC estimates that 13 million Americans—around 4% of the U.S. population—live with latent tuberculosis, and one in ten of them could develop an active infection if left untreated.
How Tuberculosis Spreads and Who Is at Risk
Tuberculosis is an airborne disease, meaning it spreads through coughs, sneezes, or even talking. It is not as easily transmitted as the flu or COVID-19, but prolonged exposure in enclosed spaces can increase the risk.
Certain groups face a higher risk of severe illness, including:
- People with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV or diabetes
- The elderly
- Individuals living in crowded conditions, including shelters and prisons
- Those who have traveled to countries where tuberculosis is more common
Symptoms include a persistent cough, chest pain, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss. If the infection spreads beyond the lungs, it can affect the brain, kidneys, or spine, leading to more severe complications.
Treatment and Vaccine Options: What to Know
There is a vaccine for tuberculosis—the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine—but it is rarely used in the U.S. due to its inconsistent effectiveness in adults and potential interference with tuberculosis skin tests.
The primary method of controlling tuberculosis remains antibiotic treatment. The standard regimen can last anywhere from four months to a year, depending on the type of infection. If patients stop treatment too soon, the disease can return and even become drug-resistant, making it much harder to cure.
Side effects of tuberculosis medication can include:
- Upset stomach
- Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
- Skin rashes and itching
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue lasting more than three days
Drug-resistant tuberculosis cases can take years to treat and pose a much greater public health risk.
State and Federal Response
Kansas health officials are working with local communities to contain the outbreak. The KDHE has mandated that all cases be reported to state and local health departments, ensuring that those infected receive proper treatment. The agency is also offering preventative care to those with latent infections.
The CDC has sent four staff members to Kansas to help with testing, screening, and health education efforts. However, public health officials acknowledge that treating tuberculosis presents unique challenges.
One major hurdle is reaching diverse communities that may face language barriers or lack access to healthcare. The KDHE says it is working to train staff with culturally informed approaches to ensure that information and treatment reach those who need it most.
What Comes Next?
The Kansas outbreak highlights an ongoing issue in the U.S.: tuberculosis remains a persistent but often overlooked threat. While COVID-19 dominated public health discussions in recent years, tuberculosis has continued to spread, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Improved drug research may offer more effective treatments with fewer side effects, but health experts warn that controlling tuberculosis will require sustained public health efforts—including early detection, proper treatment adherence, and greater awareness.
For now, Kansas health officials remain focused on containing the outbreak, ensuring that those infected receive treatment, and preventing further spread. The situation is still developing, and experts will be watching closely to see how it unfolds in the coming months.
