Kansas Tuberculosis Outbreak Becomes Largest in U.S. History, Infecting Over 140 People

A tuberculosis outbreak in the Kansas City, Kansas, metro area has become the largest documented TB outbreak in the United States since monitoring began in the 1950s, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).

The outbreak, which was first identified in January 2024, has led to at least 67 confirmed active TB infections and 79 latent TB cases, in which the bacteria are present but not actively causing illness. Tragically, two deaths have already been linked to the outbreak, and health officials warn that more cases could emerge as investigations continue.

“This outbreak is still ongoing, which means there could be more cases,” KDHE spokesperson Jill Bronaugh said, adding that the department is working with the CDC to manage the situation.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, speaks, or sings. It most commonly affects the lungs and can spread through prolonged close contact. While latent TB infections cannot spread to others, they can develop into active disease if untreated.

Bronaugh emphasized that while there is a low risk to the general public, KDHE is working to ensure patients receive appropriate treatment to limit the spread of the disease. The state has yet to identify the cause of the outbreak but is conducting contact tracing and providing free testing and treatment to those affected.

Local health departments are working with each patient to identify close contacts and determine whether they have active TB or latent TB infections. Treatment, which typically includes antibiotics, is being provided at no cost to uninsured patients or those whose insurance does not cover the treatment.

Lori Tremmel Freeman, CEO of the National Association of County and City Health Officials, expressed concern over a lack of national communication about the outbreak, particularly amid reports of the federal health agency communications freeze ordered by the Trump administration. Freeman warned that a pause in information-sharing could hinder effective responses to outbreaks.

The CDC has yet to comment on the Kansas outbreak, but nationally, TB cases have been on the rise. In 2023, the United States reported 9,615 cases of TB, up from 8,320 in 2022, according to CDC data. Despite the increase, the U.S. maintains one of the lowest TB rates in the world, with most residents at minimal risk.

Globally, TB remains a leading infectious killer, with about 10 million new cases and 1.5 million deaths each year, according to the World Health Organization. People with compromised immune systems, such as those with HIV or diabetes, or individuals who use tobacco, are at a higher risk of developing active TB disease.