2024–2025 Kansas tuberculosis outbreak

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria which causes tuberculosis.

Starting in 2024, the U.S. state of Kansas experienced a sudden rise in cases of tuberculosis, with 68 active cases. ^[1] 113 cases of tuberculosis were recorded in Kansas in 2024, compared to 51 in 2023. ^[2] It is one of the largest tuberculosis outbreaks reported in the U.S. since surveillance for large outbreaks began in 2008. ^{[3] [4]}

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has not publicly identified the source of the outbreak. ^[1]

History

The first tuberculosis cases related to the outbreak were recorded in January 2024. Two deaths were linked to the outbreak in 2024. ^[1] Containment efforts by local authorities began in summer 2024, with guidance from the CDC. ^[1]

As of January 2025, 68 active cases and 88 latent cases (in which an individual tests positive, but does not show symptoms or transmit the bacteria) have been connected to the outbreak. ^[1]

Impact

Kansas state officials have said that most cases have been located in Wyandotte County. ^[1]

References

1. "Tuberculosis Outbreak | KDHE, KS". www.kdhe.ks.gov. Retrieved 2025-04-15.
2. "Kansas Tuberculosis (TB) Summary". Kansas Department of Health and Environment. March 2025.
3. Ross Johnson, Steven (January 28, 2025). "Kansas: TB Outbreak Is Largest in History. CDC: No It's Not". U.S. News and World Report. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
4. Raz, Kala M.; Talarico, Sarah; Althomsons, Sandy P.; Kammerer, J. Steve; Cowan, Lauren S.; Haddad, Maryam B.; McDaniel, Clinton J.; Wortham, Jonathan M.; France, Anne Marie; Powell, Krista M.; Posey, James E.; Silk, Benjamin J. (September 2022). "Molecular surveillance for large outbreaks of tuberculosis in the United States, 2014-2018". Tuberculosis (Edinburgh, Scotland). 136: 102232. doi:10.1016/j.tube.2022.102232. ISSN   1873-281X. PMC   9530005 . PMID   35969928.