An outbreak of tuberculosis in the metropolitan area of Kansas City has resulted in multiple diseases and at least two deaths, as confirmed by the Department of Health and Environment of Kansas (KDHE).
The outbreak was initially identified in January 2024, with two associated deaths reported last year, according to Jill Bronaugh, Kdhe spokesman.
“This outbreak is still ongoing, which means there could be more cases. We are working and following the guide of the CDC, ”Bronaugh said in an email.
Until Friday, at least 67 individuals have been treated by active tuberculosis infections, while another 79 have been diagnosed with latent TB, which means they carry the bacteria but do not exhibit symptoms or transmit the disease.
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection in the air that mainly affects the lungs. It spreads through prolonged exposure to an infected individual. Those with latent TB do not transmit the bacteria, but if the infection is activated, it can become tuberculosis disease.
“TB is an infectious disease that often affects the lungs and is caused by a type of bacteria. It extends through the air when infected people cough, speak or sing, ”Bronaugh explained. “While there is a very low risk of infection to the general public in these communities, KDHE is working to ensure that patients receive adequate treatment, which will limit the ability to spread this disease and prevent additional cases occurring.”
The State Health Department has not revealed the origin of the outbreak. Local health departments are working with affected people to identify nearby contacts and perform complementary tuberculosis tests, as indicated on the KDHE website.
On Tuesday, the US disease control and prevention centers (CDC) confirmed that four of their staff are on the field helping with the response, including efforts in contact layout, tests and detection.
Those who get positive will undergo additional evaluations to determine if they have an active TB or a latent infection, which will issue their treatment course. The disease is treatable with a standardized antibiotic regime.
“The treatment will be provided through the patient's local health department, and will be provided for free if the person has no insurance or the treatment is not covered by health insurance,” according to the KDHE website. “Health Department personnel will remain in contact with patients during treatment to help maintain the course and address any questions or restlessness they may have.”
The National Association of Health and City Health officials has been closely following the developments with respect to the Kansas TB outbreak. However, some concerns persist about the lack of generalized information nationwide due to federal health agencies that stop communications.
“The exchange of information really matters and helps to shape and guide these outbreaks, and we are pause at this time, which makes it worrying if we are losing an important update or things that may affect how people are addressing the disease .
While tuberculosis can affect anyone, certain groups are more vulnerable. People who frequently travel or were born in countries where TB prevails, those living in crowded environments as shelters for homeless people, prisons or prisons, and workers in high -risk environments, such as hospitals and elderly homes, face a greater probability exposure.
Every year, approximately 10 million people around the world hire tuberculosis, although the disease is preventable and treatable. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), TB is responsible for approximately 1.5 million deaths per year, which makes it “the main infectious murderer of the world.”
Preventive measures include detection, complete treatment regimes and, in some cases, vaccination. However, the TB vaccine is not commonly used in the US. Due to the low incidence of the nation's disease.
WHO states that those infected with TB bacteria have up to 10% possibilities for life to develop the disease. However, people with committed immune systems, such as those living with HIV or diabetes or those who use tobacco, are aimed at a high risk of getting sick.
An earlier version of this report declared that Kansas health officials had described the outbreak as the largest in the United States since the 1950s. However, the CDC clarified on Tuesday that at least two other USAs of the USA .
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