Kansas City is battling an “unprecedented” tuberculosis outbreak affecting two counties, with health officials warning that the spread remains ongoing and may not be contained yet.
A tuberculosis outbreak, the largest in U.S. history, has infected 67 people in Wyandotte and Johnson counties as of January 24, 2025. Wyandotte County accounts for 60 cases, while Johnson County has seven.The TB outbreak was first reported in 2024. It has since grown into the largest documented outbreak in U.S. history, according to Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) spokesperson Jill Bronaugh. “This is mainly due to the rapid number of cases in the short amount of time,” she said.Despite the severity of the outbreak, which has predominantly affected Wyandotte County, the KDHE reports a “very low risk” to the general public, including nearby counties. However, officials urge continued vigilance to prevent further spread.
“This outbreak is still ongoing, which means that there could be more cases,” Bronaugh said. “There are a few other states that currently have large outbreaks that are also ongoing.”To address the outbreak, KDHE and local health departments are working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Their efforts include tracking cases, treating infected individuals, and implementing measures to prevent new infections.