(Feb. 14, 2025) – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health departments, has been responding to a tuberculosis outbreak in the Kansas City, Kansas, metropolitan area since January 2024. In recent weeks, the outbreak has been reported to be one of the largest in documented history in the U.S.
As of Jan. 31, 2025, there are 67 confirmed cases of active TB, including 60 in Wyandotte County and seven in Johnson County. Of these individuals, 35 have completed treatment and are considered cured, and 30 are currently under treatment. Most are no longer considered infectious to others or are isolating to avoid infecting others. There are two reported deaths associated with this outbreak. There are 79 confirmed latent TB cases, including 77 in Wyandotte County and two in Johnson County. Individuals with latent TB infections are not infectious to other people. Thirty-one individuals have completed treatment, and 28 are currently under treatment.
As a reminder, mandated reporters, including clinicians, are required by Kansas Administrative Regulation (K.A.R. 28-1-2) to report all suspected cases of active tuberculosis to the 24/7 KDHE Epidemiology Hotline (877-427-7317, option 5) within four hours of suspicion. Report all latent TB infection cases to the county's local health department and KDHE within 24 hours. Laboratories are required by K.A.R. 28-1-18 to report laboratory reports of tuberculosis cases to KDHE using an approved electronic method.
For more information on the Kansas City Area TB Outbreak and TB resources for providers, visit the KDHE Tuberculosis Program website.
--Karen Braman