Tuberculosis Surge in Kansas: What You Need to Know

Kansas is in the middle of a huge tuberculosis outbreak. As of January 24, there were 67 active cases and 79 latent infections reported since 2024, mainly in Wyandotte and Johnson counties near Kansas City. Jill Bronaugh, from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, called it the largest outbreak in US history since the 1950s. This rapid spread has health officials worried. The infection can be serious, causing cough, chest pain, and even death if untreated. It's spread through the air, so it's important to know if you're infected. Symptoms of the active form include coughing, weight loss, and chills. The inactive form doesn't have symptoms but can turn active. About 13 million Americans are thought to have inactive tuberculosis. In 2023, the US had 9, 633 active cases, the most since 2013. Kansas alone had 51 active cases in 2023 and an estimated 109 in 2024. In 2025, there's already been one new case. Who's at risk? People living in large groups like shelters or prisons, those who travel to countries where the disease is common, and anyone with a weak immune system. The CDC recommends testing for these high-risk groups. There are skin and blood tests available. The good news is that tuberculosis is treatable with antibiotics. Once treatment starts, the person with active tuberculosis is no longer infectious. Health officials are working with local agencies and following CDC guidelines to treat patients.