As health officials work to stop more damage, a dangerous TB outbreak in Kansas City has killed two individuals and infected scores.#Kansas #Health #KansasCityKS #News
KSA’s Kansas City A deadly outbreak of tuberculosis has spread over the Kansas City metro region, killing two individuals and infecting scores more. As more cases keep coming in, health officials are working feverishly to limit the situation.
The outbreak started in January 2024, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). Last year, there were two deaths connected to the outbreak, and it is still spreading. As the infection spreads, officials have cautioned that additional instances are anticipated.
Dozens Infected, More Cases Feared
To date, 79 individuals have tested positive for latent infections, and at least 67 have been diagnosed and treated for active tuberculosis. Latent tuberculosis is a condition in which the bacteria is present but has not yet produced symptoms, but it may do so in the future.
A extremely contagious disease that mostly affects the lungs is tuberculosis. Long-term contact with an infected person, generally through speaking or coughing, is how it spreads. Latent cases don’t spread the illness, but if left untreated, they can turn into active TB.
In order to stop the disease from spreading further, health officials are stressing the value of early treatment. To monitor and control the outbreak, the state has been collaborating closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Free Testing and Treatment Offered
Although the precise source of the outbreak has not yet been revealed, medical professionals are aggressively looking for any contacts of sick people. Those who could have been exposed are being offered free TB testing. If a test result is positive, additional testing will establish whether the infection is latent or active.
Local health agencies are treating TB patients at no cost to those without insurance or with inadequate coverage. Antibiotics are usually given in combination over a period of several months. Employees in the health department make sure patients finish their treatments in order to avoid difficulties or further spread.
CDC Sends Team to Assist
Four CDC professionals have been sent to Kansas to help with response coordination, contact tracing, and testing. As the outbreak continues, public health authorities are working feverishly to manage the situation.
At the national level, communication gaps have been a source of worry. Officials are concerned that important information would be lost or delayed as a result of federal health departments purportedly pausing some public updates.
Rising TB Cases Across the U.S.
The Kansas outbreak coincides with a rise in TB infections across the country. The CDC recorded 9,615 cases in 2023, up from 8,320 cases in 2022. The infection rate increased from 2.5 to 2.9 infections per 100,000 people as a result. The United States continues to have one of the lowest TB rates in the world despite the increase.
Some groups are more likely to get the illness, especially those who work or reside in high-exposure places like prisons, homeless shelters, or medical facilities. Frequent visitors to nations where tuberculosis is prevalent are also at increased risk.
Global Impact and Prevention
Tuberculosis is still a major health concern on a global scale. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 10 million individuals get TB each year, and 1.5 million of them pass away. Despite being preventable and curable, the disease continues to be the most deadly infectious killer in the world.
Screening, early treatment, and perhaps vaccination are examples of preventative strategies. The TB vaccine is frequently given in nations where the disease is prevalent, but it is not generally utilized in the United States because of low infection rates.
People with compromised immune systems, such as those with HIV or long-term illnesses, are especially vulnerable because they are more likely to contract active tuberculosis. If left untreated, even people with latent infections have a 10% lifetime risk of getting sick.
In their ongoing attempts to contain the Kansas outbreak, health authorities stress that finishing treatment is essential to halting the spread and averting more deaths.
Associated Subjects: Wellness and Health|Kansas|Missouri
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