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Largest outbreak in US history, officials say
Health officials in Kansas have reported a tuberculosis outbreak in the northeastern part of the state, with 67 cases since the beginning of January.
So far, officials have reported 60 active cases in Wyandotte County and 7 active cases in Johnson County, according to data from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Since 2024, there have been 2 latent cases in Johnson County and 77 cases in Wyandotte County, which sits at the Missouri border.
The numbers mark the largest tuberculosis outbreak in recorded history in the U.S., according to the Topeka Capital-Journal, part of the USA TODAY network.
The outbreak poses “very low risk to the general public, including the surrounding counties,” officials said in the announcement. Local health departments are working with patients to identify close contacts and conduct free testing, regardless of insurance status.
Tuberculosis, also known as TB, is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Two TB-related conditions exist: inactive TB and active TB.
Kansas health officials said patients who test positive will be screened to see if they have active TB disease or latent TB infection. Doctors can then choose the best treatment for each patient, health officials said.
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How is tuberculosis transmitted?
People who have TB germs in their bodies but do not get sick have inactive TB, or latent TB infection. They have no symptoms and cannot spread TB to others. Without treatment, people with inactive TB can develop active TB disease and become sick, the CDC said.
TB is spread through the air from one person to another. TB germs are put into the air when a person with active TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, speaks or sings, the CDC said.
The germs can stay in the air for several hours, depending on the environment. The germs are more likely to spread in indoor areas or places with poor air circulation (such as a closed vehicle).
People with active TB disease are most likely to spread TB germs to people they spend time with every day, the CDC reported.
TB usually affects the lungs, but it can also impact the brain, the kidneys or the spine, the CDC said.
What are the symptoms of tuberculosis?
For those who get sick, symptoms of TB can include:
- A cough lasting three weeks or longer
- Chest pain
- Coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from deep inside the lungs)
- Weakness or fatigue
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Chills
- Fever
- Night sweats
Who is at risk for tuberculosis?
Some people may be at a higher risk for TB if they:
- Were born in or frequently travel to countries where TB is common, such as countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America
- Live or used to live in large group settings where TB is more common, such as homeless shelters, prisons or jails
- Recently spent time with someone who has active TB disease
- Have a weaker immune system because of certain medications or health conditions such as diabetes, cancer and HIV
- Work in places where TB is more likely to spread, such as hospitals, homeless shelters, correctional facilities and nursing homes
How is tuberculosis treated?
There is a Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine for TB disease. It is “not generally used in the United States,” the CDC said, but healthcare providers in countries where the disease is more common often vaccinate infants and small children.
“Tell your health care provider if you have received the TB vaccine, especially if you are getting tested for TB infection because it can cause a false positive TB skin test reaction,” the CDC said. “TB blood tests are the preferred tests for people who have received the BCG TB vaccine.”
Treatment for inactive TB can take three, four, six or nine months depending on the treatment plan, the CDC said. Treatment may include combinations of medications such as Rifapentine, Isoniazid and Rifampin.
Treatment for active TB disease can take four, six or nine months and may include combinations of medications such as Ethambutol, Isoniazid, Moxifloxacin, Rifampin, Rifapentine or Pyrazinamide, according to the CDC.
Contributing: Jason Alatidd, Topeka Capital-Journal
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.
The Largest outbreak in US history, officials say
Health officials across the country are sounding the alarm as the largest outbreak in US history continues to spread. With cases surging in every state and hospitals overwhelmed with patients, experts are urging the public to take immediate action to stop the spread of the virus.
The highly contagious nature of this outbreak has led to a rapid increase in cases, with millions of Americans testing positive for the virus in just a matter of weeks. Hospitals are struggling to keep up with the influx of patients, leading to a shortage of beds, medical supplies, and healthcare workers.
Officials are urging everyone to follow public health guidelines, including wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and getting vaccinated. They warn that if drastic action is not taken soon, the outbreak could spiral out of control and result in even more devastating consequences.
As the country grapples with this unprecedented crisis, it is more important than ever for individuals to do their part in stopping the spread of the virus. By following public health guidelines and getting vaccinated, we can all work together to overcome this outbreak and protect the health and safety of our communities.
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