Kansas City tuberculosis outbreak ends after no new cases reported since April

This medical illustration shows the drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. A Kansas City, Kansas, tuberculosis outbreak has ended and no drug-resistant strains were identified, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

TOPEKA – A tuberculosis outbreak in the Kansas City, Kansas, area is officially over after no new patients have been diagnosed with the disease since April. 

The outbreak began in early 2024, ultimately including Wyandotte and Johnson counties, according to a news release from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. 

With 68 confirmed active tuberculosis cases, it was one of the largest outbreaks in recent decades, the release said. All individuals have successfully completed treatment.   

“Through extensive screening efforts, an additional 91 latent TB infections were identified and treated preventively,” the release said. “More than 650 individuals were evaluated or monitored throughout the investigation.”

Kansas reports approximately 50 TB cases annually statewide. Routine surveillance is important to early detection and prevention.

Tuberculosis spreads through the air when someone with active disease coughs, speaks or sings, and it typically involves prolonged contact, the KDHE website said. It is treated with antibiotics. Shortly after starting treatment, anyone with active disease will no longer be infectious.