Wyandotte County is experiencing one of the most significant tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks in U.S. history, according to state officials. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reports 67 active TB infections currently undergoing treatment and 79 latent infections being monitored, meaning those individuals are asymptomatic and non-contagious. 

Of the active cases, 60 were identified in Wyandotte County and seven in Johnson County as of Friday, January 24, 2025. The data includes cases first detected before the new year, according to KDHE. Kansas’ Deputy Secretary for Public Health, Ashley Goss, described the outbreak as “unprecedented” but assured lawmakers that the number of infections is "trending in the right direction." She noted that the number of active infections has decreased to 32. In contrast, Jill Bronaugh, a KDHE spokesperson, reported 79 active TB cases, 213 latent cases, and two TB-related deaths in the Kansas City area last year.

While a tuberculosis vaccine exists in the United States, it is not widely used or recommended, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

“The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is not generally recommended in the United States due to the low risk of TB infection, variable effectiveness against adult pulmonary TB, and potential interference with tuberculin skin test reactivity,” Bronaugh explained. The vaccine can lead to false positives in TB skin tests, making detection more challenging.

Although the BCG vaccine is considered safe, it has limited efficacy. According to *The Lancet Global Health*, a medical research journal, a review of 26 studies found that the vaccine, when administered during infancy, was 37% effective in preventing all forms of TB during the first five years of life but provided little to no protection for adolescents and adults.

In Kansas, the tuberculosis vaccine is not required for students from kindergarten through 12th grade, according to KDHE. The vaccine is also not mandated for college students, though some institutions, such as the University of Kansas, require TB testing before enrollment.

The CDC advises that individuals who are immunocompromised should avoid receiving the BCG vaccine. Instead, health care workers and immunocompromised individuals are encouraged to undergo TB testing, as they are at higher risk due to potential exposure and weakened immune systems.

Tuberculosis is typically spread through prolonged exposure to an infected person. It is not transmitted through physical contact, shared utensils, clothing, or surfaces. 

- Persistent coughing
- Chest pain
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Coughing up blood or phlegm

Those who test positive will receive additional free testing to determine whether their infection is active or latent. Local health departments will work with infected individuals to identify close contacts who may need testing.

Goss explained that "if an infected person takes ten consecutive days of medication and then has three negative sputum tests, they are often deemed non-transmissible, though not always." Once deemed non-contagious, patients can resume normal activities, provided they continue their prescribed treatment regimen.

Kansas residents who believe they may have been exposed to tuberculosis should contact the KDHE hotline at 877-427-7317. Health officials encourage early testing and treatment to prevent the spread of infection and protect community health.

By staying informed and proactive, Kansans can help contain the outbreak while ensuring the safety of themselves and those around them.