Known as the largest of its kind on record in the United States, Kansas is currently experiencing a historic TB outbreak.
As of January 24, there were 67 current instances of tuberculosis since 2024, along with 79 latent or non-active illnesses, according to the Kansas State Department of Health and Environment. The Wyandotte and Johnson counties, which are a part of the larger Kansas City area, have reported all of the cases since 2024.
The “largest documented [tuberculosis] outbreak in US history” since the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) started tracking and reporting cases of the illness in the 1950s, according to Jill Bronaugh, communications director for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
“This is primarily because there were so many cases in such a short period of time,” Bronaugh told the Topeka Capital-Journal. “There may be more cases because this outbreak is still ongoing.”
There is a “very low risk to the general public, including the surrounding counties,” according to state officials, who also noted that Wyandotte County has seen the majority of TB cases.
In order to make sure patients are getting the right care, the Kansas health and environment department says it has been collaborating with regional health organizations in the wake of the outbreak and is adhering to CDC guidelines.
According to the CDC, a bacterium that typically affects the lungs is responsible for the majority of tuberculosis cases in the United States. The illness is treatable with antibiotics and is spread by the air between people.
Active and latent (inactive) tuberculosis infections are the two varieties. People with active tuberculosis feel ill and can infect others. According to the CDC, coughing up blood, chest pain, chills, and weight loss are all common signs of active tuberculosis. Active TB can be lethal if treatment is not received.
Conversely, inactive TB has no symptoms and cannot spread to other people. However, the CDC states that people with inactive TB can potentially get sick at any time from active TB.
According to the FDA, if not treated, one out of every ten patients with dormant tuberculosis will acquire active tuberculosis.
A person with active tuberculosis disease will cease to be infectious shortly after beginning treatment.
Up to 13 million Americans, according to CDC estimates, have inactive TB. 9,633 cases of active TB were reported in the United States in 2023, a 15% increase from 2022 and the largest number since 2013.
According to preliminary data from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, there were 51 active cases of tuberculosis in 2023 and an estimated 109 cases in 2024. There has only been one new case reported in 2025 as of Tuesday.
Although anyone can get tuberculosis, some people may be more susceptible, according to the CDC. Those who were born in or regularly visit nations where the disease is prevalent, those who have recently come into contact with someone who has active TB, those who have a weakened or compromised immune system, and those who work in environments where it is more prevalent are all included in this category.
people whose immune systems are weak or compromised; and people who work in settings where it is more likely to spread, like nursing homes, hospitals, homeless shelters, and prisons.
People who are at higher risk should get tested for tuberculosis, according to the CDC. A skin test and a blood test are the two test types that can be used to identify infection.
Kansas is currently experiencing the largest documented tuberculosis (TB) outbreak in U.S. history, with 67 active cases and 79 latent infections reported since 2024, primarily in Wyandotte and Johnson counties.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), in collaboration with local health departments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is actively managing the outbreak. Efforts include identifying and testing individuals who have been in close contact with infected patients, providing free TB testing and treatment for uninsured individuals, and ensuring continuous care to prevent further spread.
Despite the severity of the outbreak, health officials assert that the risk to the general public remains very low. TB is a treatable disease, and authorities are following CDC guidelines to manage and contain the situation.
TB is an airborne disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, speaks, or sings. Symptoms include a persistent cough, chest pain, and coughing up blood. While TB can be fatal if not treated, it is curable with a prolonged course of antibiotics.
Understanding Tuberculosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Cure
Health officials continue to monitor the situation closely and are committed to implementing measures to control the outbreak and prevent further cases.