A tuberculosis outbreak in the Kansas City metropolitan area in the US has resulted in multiple illnesses and at least two deaths, as confirmed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).
The outbreak was initially identified in January 2024, with two associated fatalities reported last year, according to Jill Bronaugh, a spokesperson for KDHE, reports AFP.
“This outbreak is still ongoing, which means that there could be more cases. We are working with and following the guidance of the CDC,” Bronaugh stated in an email.
As of Friday, at least 67 individuals have been treated for active tuberculosis infections, while 79 others have been diagnosed with latent TB, meaning they carry the bacteria but are not exhibiting symptoms or transmitting the disease.
Tuberculosis is an airborne bacterial infection primarily affecting the lungs. It spreads through prolonged exposure to an infected individual. Those with latent TB do not transmit the bacteria, but if the infection becomes active, it can develop into tuberculosis disease.
“TB is an infectious disease that most often affects the lungs and is caused by a type of bacteria. It spreads through the air when infected people cough, speak, or sing,” Bronaugh explained. “While there is a very low risk of infection to the general public in these communities, KDHE is working to ensure that patients are receiving appropriate treatment, which will limit the ability to spread this disease and prevent additional cases from occurring.”
The state health department has not disclosed the origin of the outbreak. Local health departments are working with affected individuals to identify close contacts and conduct complimentary tuberculosis testing, as stated on the KDHE website.
Yesterday, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that four of its personnel are on the ground assisting with the response, including efforts in contact tracing, testing, and screening.
Those testing positive will undergo additional evaluations to determine if they have active TB or a latent infection, which will dictate their course of treatment. The illness is treatable with a standardized regimen of antibiotics.
“Treatment will be provided through the patient’s local health department, and it will be provided for free if the person is uninsured or the treatment isn’t covered by health insurance,” according to KDHE’s website.
“Health department staff will remain in touch with patients throughout treatment to help them stay on course and address any questions or concerns they may have.”
The National Association of County and City Health Officials has been closely following developments regarding the Kansas TB outbreak. However, some concerns persist about the lack of widespread information at the national level due to federal health agencies pausing communications.
“Information exchange really matters and helps to shape and guide these outbreaks, and we’re having a lull in that right now, which makes it concerning if we’re missing out on any important updates or things that could impact how people are addressing disease, the spread of it, what to look for and how to stop it,” Lori Tremmel Freeman, the association’s CEO, said yesterday.
While tuberculosis can affect anyone, certain groups are more vulnerable. Individuals who frequently travel to or were born in countries where TB is prevalent, those living in crowded environments like homeless shelters, prisons, or jails, and workers in high-risk settings such as hospitals and nursing homes face a greater likelihood of exposure.
Each year, approximately 10 million individuals worldwide contract tuberculosis, despite the disease being both preventable and treatable. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), TB is responsible for about 1.5 million deaths annually, making it “the world’s top infectious killer.”
Preventative measures include screening, completing treatment regimens, and, in some cases, vaccination. However, the TB vaccine is not commonly used in the US due to the nation’s low incidence of the disease.
The WHO states that those infected with TB bacteria have up to a 10% lifetime chance of developing the illness. However, people with compromised immune systems—such as those living with HIV or diabetes or those who use tobacco—face an elevated risk of falling ill.
A previous version of this report stated that Kansas health officials had described the outbreak as the largest in the US since the 1950s.
However, the CDC clarified yesterday that at least two other US outbreaks have been larger.
