Titel: Die größte Tuberkulose-Ausbrüche in den USA jemals aufkriegerischer Art in Kansas niedergemacht
In the heart of Kansas, a formidable bacterial adversary has found a cozy home, leading to a significant surge in tuberculosis (TB) cases. Local health authorities have confirmed that Kansas is grappling with the largest TB outbreak ever documented in the U.S., dating back to last year.
Last week, Ashley Goss, the deputy secretary at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), updated the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee on the state's TB outbreak. The outbreak has resulted in numerous active and latent TB cases, with the danger far from over.
Jill Bronaugh, a KDHE spokesperson, shared this insight with local media outlet The Topeka Capital-Journal, "The current KCK Metro TB outbreak is the largest documented outbreak in U.S. history, presently. This is mainly due to the rapid number of cases in the short amount of time. This outbreak is still ongoing, which means that there could be more cases."
TB, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, spreads through the air and primarily impacts the lungs. Symptoms include chest pains, chills, and coughing up blood, while the infection can also lie dormant, not causing symptoms until the immune system weakens. Individuals with HIV are particularly susceptible to TB, as they're more likely to develop serious, life-threatening cases.
Despite being the largest recorded TB outbreak in U.S. history, it's plausible that past generations dealt with larger outbreaks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) record of TB tracking only goes back to the 1950s, a period when TB had started to decline significantly in the U.S., largely due to improved public health measures and later, the availability of effective antibiotics. Prior to these advancements, TB had posed a significant threat to Americans, with an estimated 115,000 new cases and 63,000 deaths in 1945 alone.
Globally, TB continues to pose a significant threat, claiming the title of the world's leading cause of death from a single infectious disease in 2023, according to a World Health Organization report, with approximately 1.25 million TB-related deaths estimated that year. While the U.S. has seen relatively low TB cases and deaths, recent trends suggest a resurgence. In 2023, there were 9,633 reported TB cases in the U.S., marking the third consecutive year of rising cases and surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
In the Kansas City, Kansas, metro area, the outbreak has resulted in 67 active cases and 79 latent cases since 2024, primarily affecting Wyandotte County but also surrounding Johnson County.
Containing TB outbreaks can be challenging due to its long treatment process. A minimum of nine months of antibiotics is necessary to ensure a cure, while drug-resistant strains can complicate matters. However, patients are typically no longer contagious after just 10 days of ongoing treatment. Since the summer, health officials have implemented measures to significantly reduce the active TB cases in the area, now down to 32, according to Goss.
"We still have a couple of large employers involved that we're working with on this," Goss told the state Senate committee. "So we do expect to find more, but we're hoping the more that we find is latent TB not active, so that their lives are not disrupted and having to stay home from work. Because it is highly contagious."
Experts attribute the recent uptick in TB worldwide to pandemic pressures weakening screening and prevention programs. However, specific reasons for the local outbreak in Kansas remain unclear. Federal health agencies, such as the CDC, have yet to provide public comment on the issue, leaving many questions unanswered.
The future of TB control in Kansas relies heavily on advancements in science and technology. government funding for research into new treatments and vaccines could significantly impact the health of the population.
As the world grapples with the resurgence of TB, the role of technology in disease surveillance and contact tracing becomes increasingly important. Innovations in health technology could help local health authorities monitor and contain outbreaks more effectively, ensuring a healthier future for all.
