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Kansas City Tuberculosis Outbreak Becomes Largest in U.S. History

Prime Highlights: 

Kansas City, Kansas, has reported the largest documented tuberculosis (TB) outbreak in U.S. history, with 67 active cases and 79 latent cases as of January 2024. 

Wyandotte County has seen the highest concentration of cases in the Kansas City metro area. 

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is working with local health departments and following CDC guidelines to manage the outbreak and ensure proper treatment. 

Key Background: 

A tuberculosis (TB) outbreak in Kansas City has now become the largest recorded in U.S. history. According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), the outbreak, which began in 2024, has resulted in 67 active TB cases and 79 latent cases across Wyandotte and Johnson counties, part of the greater Kansas City area. The majority of cases have been reported in Wyandotte County. 

KDHE has been collaborating with local health departments to manage the outbreak, following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure appropriate treatment for affected individuals. “The current Kansas City TB outbreak is the largest documented in U.S. history since the CDC began monitoring TB cases in the 1950s,” said Jill Bronaugh, KDHE communications director. She also noted that the situation remains ongoing, and further cases could emerge as the investigation continues. 

The outbreak has resulted in two confirmed TB-related deaths in 2024. Despite the severity of the situation, KDHE has reassured the public that the risk of transmission to the broader community remains low. Authorities are focused on ensuring that patients receive the necessary treatment to minimize the spread of the disease. 

This outbreak is part of a broader trend of increasing TB cases in the U.S. In 2023, the CDC reported 9,633 TB cases, the highest number in a decade and a 15% increase from the previous year. This uptick is partially attributed to the emergence of multidrug-resistant TB strains. Most cases are found among individuals born outside the United States. 

The rise in TB cases coincides with a global surge, as the World Health Organization reported that 8.2 million people were diagnosed with TB in 2023, marking the highest number recorded since global TB tracking began. As investigations and treatments continue, health officials remain vigilant in monitoring and responding to the outbreak.