A tuberculosis (TB) outbreak in Kansas City has become the largest documented in U.S. history, with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reporting 67 active cases and 79 latent cases in 2024. Most of the cases have been concentrated in Wyandotte County, part of the greater Kansas City area.
Scope of the Outbreak
The KDHE, collaborating with local health departments, is addressing the outbreak based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to KDHE communications director Jill Bronaugh, this outbreak surpasses all recorded TB outbreaks since the CDC began tracking such cases in the 1950s.
“The current Kansas City, Kan. Metro tuberculosis (TB) outbreak is the largest documented outbreak in U.S. history,” Bronaugh stated in an email to CIDRAP News.
As of 2024, provisional data indicates 79 active cases and 213 latent cases, pending CDC confirmation. Additionally, two deaths have been linked to the outbreak. Despite the scale, officials emphasize that the general public faces a low risk of infection.
Containing the Outbreak
KDHE has prioritized providing proper treatment to patients, aiming to prevent further transmission. “Ensuring that patients receive appropriate treatment will limit the ability to spread this disease and prevent additional cases,” Bronaugh noted.
Latent TB cases, though not contagious, pose risks of developing into active infections if untreated, further underscoring the importance of KDHE’s response measures.
Broader Trends in TB
This outbreak comes as the United States experiences a broader rise in TB cases. CDC data indicates 9,633 TB cases were reported nationally in 2023—the highest since 2013—marking a 15% increase from 2022, with most cases identified in people born outside the U.S.
Kansas itself saw an uptick in TB infections in recent years. From 2019 to 2021, the state reported between 37 and 43 annual cases, which rose to 52 cases in 2022, partially due to a multidrug-resistant (MDR)-TB outbreak documented by KDHE researchers in 2023.
Global Context
The rise in TB extends beyond the U.S. On a global scale, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 8.2 million TB diagnoses in 2023, the highest number since global monitoring began in 1995. The increasing cases underscore the urgency of addressing TB outbreaks at both national and global levels.
Next Steps
As the Kansas City outbreak continues to unfold, health officials remain vigilant in monitoring and treating cases. The situation highlights the importance of robust public health responses to contain TB, especially as the disease’s incidence grows worldwide.