Nearly 70 individuals are receiving treatment for a severe lung infection, with two fatalities reported.
Key Highlights:
- Kansas is experiencing one of the most significant tuberculosis outbreaks in the U.S. since the 1950s.
- Unlike typical TB outbreaks, which are often confined to places like shelters or correctional facilities, this one does not appear to be restricted to a single location.
- Although tuberculosis can be contagious and, in some cases, deadly, it does not spread as easily as many other infectious diseases. Health officials emphasize that the risk to the general public remains low.
An alarming rise in tuberculosis (TB) cases in Kansas has put health officials on high alert. At least 67 people are currently undergoing treatment for active infections, and the outbreak has already resulted in two deaths. Meanwhile, an additional 79 individuals have been diagnosed with latent tuberculosis, meaning they carry the bacteria but do not exhibit symptoms and cannot spread the disease.
A Rare and Unusual Outbreak
Tuberculosis outbreaks in the United States are relatively rare and are typically confined to settings where individuals spend extended periods in close quarters, such as homeless shelters, correctional facilities, or nursing homes. However, the current outbreak in Kansas does not seem to follow this pattern, raising concerns among medical professionals.
“Typically, in the past, we see disease spread in locations where people are kept close together, but there’s no indication right now that everyone is in a similar vicinity or proximity, such as a large apartment complex,” said Amit “Bobby” Mahajan, MD, a national spokesperson for the American Lung Association and medical director for the Inova Interventional Pulmonology and Complex Airway Disease Program in Fairfax, Virginia.
Even more concerning is the extended timeline of the outbreak. Cases continue to emerge more than a year after the initial infections were detected in January 2023. This prolonged transmission period is uncommon for tuberculosis outbreaks in the U.S., leading experts to characterize the situation as particularly aggressive. “The situation is pretty aggressive in terms of what we see compared to the norm,” Mahajan noted.
Officials Reassure Public Despite Rising Cases
Despite the rising number of infections, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) maintains that the overall threat to the public remains relatively low. In a statement issued by Wyandotte County officials, authorities emphasized that they are following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure proper treatment for those affected and to contain further spread.
While TB can be a life-threatening illness, the presence of effective treatments and established public health interventions has historically kept cases in check across the U.S. The concern, however, is whether the current outbreak signals a broader issue, such as delayed diagnoses, reduced public health funding, or increasing drug resistance.
Tuberculosis: Symptoms and Risks
Tuberculosis is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which primarily affects the lungs but can also damage other organs, including the brain, kidneys, and spine. The disease spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks, making close and prolonged contact a key factor in transmission.
Dana Hawkinson, MD, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Kansas Health System, stressed the severity of the illness, pointing out that it can have long-lasting and debilitating effects.
“With the typical lung infection, you’re going to have prolonged symptoms of cough — maybe bloody cough, night sweats, and weight loss, which can last weeks to months,” he explained. “And these [symptoms] are going to be prolonged — over weeks to months. It’s not just going to be a week or 10 days.”
Other common symptoms include chest pain, fever, fatigue, and chills. If left untreated, TB can cause severe lung damage, organ failure, and even death.
Less Contagious Than Other Respiratory Diseases
Although tuberculosis is a serious public health concern, it does not spread as easily as many other airborne illnesses, such as influenza, measles, or COVID-19.
“It is very difficult to contract tuberculosis,” said Hawkinson. “Certainly, we know tuberculosis is spread through the air, but it is difficult to catch this infection, even when you’re in a room with somebody who’s coughing.”
Unlike highly contagious respiratory diseases, which can spread quickly through brief interactions, tuberculosis typically requires prolonged exposure to an infected individual. This means that household members and close contacts are at higher risk of contracting the disease than casual acquaintances or those in public spaces.
Still, for those who have been in contact with someone diagnosed with TB, medical experts strongly recommend getting tested. Blood and skin tests can detect TB infections early, allowing for prompt treatment before the disease progresses.
Cases on the Rise in the U.S. and Globally
Historically, tuberculosis rates in the United States have remained low, thanks to strong public health initiatives and widespread access to medical treatment. However, recent data suggests that TB cases are increasing, reversing a long-standing downward trend.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, reported TB cases in the U.S. dropped significantly, likely due to reduced testing and social distancing measures. However, a study published last year indicated that cases have risen each year since 2020. In 2023 alone, 9,615 cases of TB were reported nationwide, marking a 16% increase from the previous year. The disease was responsible for 565 deaths in the U.S. in 2022, the most recent year with available data.
Globally, TB remains a major health crisis. The World Health Organization estimates that 10.6 million people developed tuberculosis in 2022. Despite the availability of treatment, TB continues to claim lives, particularly in regions with limited access to healthcare.
According to Mahajan, the emergence of drug-resistant TB is another growing concern. “Drug resistance is beginning to creep in,” he warned. While current treatments remain effective for most cases, drug-resistant strains of TB require more complex and prolonged therapies, increasing the burden on healthcare systems.
Role of Public Health Funding in TB Prevention
The investigation into the Kansas outbreak is still ongoing, and health officials have yet to determine the exact cause of the spread. However, some experts speculate that reductions in public health funding may have played a role in allowing the outbreak to escalate.
Peter Chin-Hong, MD, an infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, believes that underfunded public health programs may have contributed to delayed diagnoses and treatment.
“We need to have well-funded public health departments to identify and treat people who are infected,” he stated. “In addition, during the COVID response for the past few years, reduced access to medical care may have led to fewer people being screened and identified with infection in the community, and even more resources were diverted from TB control in the community.”
Chin-Hong and other experts argue that investment in early detection and prevention programs is critical to keeping TB outbreaks under control. Public health departments play a crucial role in contact tracing, patient education, and ensuring adherence to treatment regimens. Without adequate resources, cases can go undetected, leading to prolonged outbreaks and increased transmission.
Moving Forward: A Call for Vigilance
While the current outbreak in Kansas is concerning, experts emphasize that tuberculosis remains a treatable and preventable disease. With proper medical care, most TB infections can be cured within six to nine months.
“As long as we have the appropriate state and national resources to educate people, and the ability to treat this aggressively with medications, I don’t think there should be anything to worry about,” Mahajan reassured.
However, he and other medical professionals stress the importance of continued vigilance. Public health agencies must remain proactive in detecting and responding to cases, and individuals who experience symptoms or have been exposed to TB should seek medical attention immediately.
With ongoing research, adequate funding, and public awareness, experts believe that outbreaks like the one in Kansas can be contained, ensuring that tuberculosis does not regain a foothold in the United States.