Kansas is currently experiencing the largest recorded tuberculosis outbreak in United States history, as reported by local health officials.
As of January 24, there are 67 confirmed cases of active tuberculosis, with 60 cases occurring in Wyandotte County and seven in Johnson County, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).
Additionally, there are 79 confirmed cases of latent tuberculosis, comprising 77 cases in Wyandotte County and two in Johnson County. Wyandotte County includes a portion of Kansas City, while Johnson County is situated just southwest of Kansas City.
The outbreak, with cases first reported in January 2024, has resulted in two fatalities related to tuberculosis, both of which transpired in the previous year.
KDHE stated, “The current Kansas City, Kansas Metro tuberculosis (TB) outbreak is the largest documented outbreak in U.S. history, based on records maintained since the 1950s,
when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began monitoring and reporting TB cases.” The situation remains ongoing, indicating the potential for additional cases to emerge.
