What Your Child's Vomiting May Mean
How To Prevent The Spread Of Tuberculosis, Symptoms To Know Amid The Outbreak In Kansas
As Kansas deals with an ongoing tuberculosis outbreak – the largest in recorded history in the United States – you might be wondering if the threat of TB could make its way to Delaware.
Here's what we know about the situation in Kansas, how Delaware infection rates compare and how to prevent the spread of TB.
What is tuberculosis?Neonatologist Valentina Gerginova holds a dose of BCG vaccine in Vita private hospital in Sofia on May 20, 2012.
Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB usually affects the lungs but can also affect other body parts, such as the spine, kidneys and brain. It is one of the world's leading infectious disease killers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Inactive TB and active TB disease are the two TB-related conditions.
Inactive TB is when TB germs live in the body without making a person sick. People with inactive TB do not have active TB disease. They don't feel sick or have any symptoms and can't spread the disease to others. Without treatment, inactive TB can develop into active TB disease and make a person sick.
The CDC reports that 1 in 10 people with inactive TB will get sick with active TB disease without treatment. The entity estimates up to 13 million people in the U.S. Live with inactive TB.
Active TB disease occurs when the immune system can't prevent TB germs from growing. People with active TB disease feel sick and may also be able to spread germs to people they spend time with every day.
If not treated properly, TB can be fatal.
Tuberculosis outbreak in KansasThe Topeka Capital-Journal reported on Jan. 24 that Kansas health officials documented 66 active cases and 79 latent infections (infections without symptoms) of TB in the Kansas City, Kansas, metro area since 2024. Officials said most of the cases were concentrated in one county, with a handful in another county.
Jill Bronaugh, spokesperson for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, told The Capital-Journal in a statement that the outbreak is mainly due to the rapid number of cases in a short amount of time. The number of cases could increase as the outbreak is still ongoing, and some other states also have ongoing large outbreaks.
Kansas public health officials have said the risk to the general public is very low.
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Tuberculosis in DelawareThe CDC's National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System shows TB infection rates in recent years.
As of Dec. 28, 2024, Delaware recorded 24 TB cases throughout the year. In 2023, the state recorded 21.
The CDC reported 8,649 cases of TB disease in the U.S. In 2024 and 9,633 in 2023.
Signs and symptoms of tuberculosisGourmand owner Peyton Barrell holds an N95 mask during a conversation with the Asheville Citizen Times in Asheville's River Arts District Thursday, October 24, 2024.
Symptoms of active TB disease, according to the CDC, include:
A cough that lasts three weeks or longer
Coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from deep inside the lungs)
TB spreads through the air from one person to another. TB germs are expelled into the air when a person with active TB disease of the lungs or throat speaks, coughs or sings, according to the CDC.
These germs can stay in the air for several hours, depending on the environment. TB germs are more likely to spread indoors or in places with poor air circulation, such as cars, than in outdoor areas.
TB germs are not spread by:
Touching bed linens or toilet seats
Anyone can contract TB, but a higher risk is present for people who:
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.
The two types of tests that can detect a TB infection are a blood test and a skin test.
The blood test, also called an interferon-gamma release assay, measures how your immune system reacts to the germs that cause TB.
The skin test involves a healthcare provider using a small needle to put testing material under the skin. Patients return in two to three days to see if there is a reaction.
If either test result is positive, more tests are conducted to determine whether the case is inactive TB or active TB disease. These might include a chest x-ray and a test of the sputum coughed up.
What is the treatment for tuberculosis?The best way to treat inactive TB is to protect yourself from getting sick with active TB disease.
Active TB disease can be treated with medicine. After diagnosis, medication will be prescribed by a healthcare provider.
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Tuberculosis vaccineBacille Calmette-Guérin is a vaccine for TB disease, but it is generally not used in the U.S.
The vaccine is commonly given to infants and small children in countries where TB is common to prevent them from getting severe forms of active TB disease, such as TB meningitis.
BCG is only considered in the U.S. For people who meet specific criteria and in consultation with a TB expert.
Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys'tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.Com.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Tuberculosis is spreading in Kansas. How to stay safe in Delaware
Alarming Tuberculosis Surge Strikes Kansas Hard
State health officials battle largest TB outbreak in US history as cases continue to rise, leaving communities concerned
Kansas finds itself at the epicenter of the largest tuberculosis outbreak in United States history, with numbers climbing steadily since 2021. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has documented an alarming total of 145 cases, including 66 active infections capable of spreading the disease and 79 latent cases that carry the bacteria without showing symptoms.
Tracing the outbreak's originsThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's investigation reveals that this unprecedented outbreak may have originated in 2021, initially concentrated within four households. Ashley Goss, deputy secretary at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, emphasizes the historical significance of this outbreak, noting its unprecedented scale in state records.
Understanding drug resistance concernsMedical experts, including Dr. Thomas Russo from the University at Buffalo, point to potentially treatment-resistant tuberculosis strains as a major factor in the outbreak's persistence. The bacterium's ability to withstand common antibiotics has complicated treatment efforts, allowing the infection to spread more widely than initially anticipated.
The science of transmissionTuberculosis spreads primarily through airborne transmission, with the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium traveling through microscopic droplets released when infected individuals cough, speak, or even sing. These infectious particles can remain suspended in the air for hours, creating an invisible threat to anyone sharing the same space.
Recognizing the warning signsUnderstanding tuberculosis symptoms proves crucial for early detection and treatment. The disease often manifests through a persistent cough lasting more than three weeks, accompanied by chest pain and the possibility of coughing up blood or phlegm. Additional warning signs include unexplained weakness, significant weight loss, decreased appetite, and night sweats accompanied by fever and chills.
Treatment approaches and challengesWhile tuberculosis remains curable, treatment requires a comprehensive six-month course of antibiotics, typically including rifampicin and isoniazid. However, drug-resistant cases demand more complex treatment protocols, often extending the healing process and requiring careful monitoring to ensure effectiveness.
The role of public health responsePublic health officials have implemented extensive contact tracing and monitoring protocols to contain the outbreak. These efforts focus on identifying potentially exposed individuals and ensuring proper treatment for those infected, while also working to prevent further spread within communities.
Community impact and concernsThe outbreak has raised significant concerns among Kansas residents, particularly in affected areas. Local health departments have increased their outreach efforts, providing education and resources to help communities understand and respond to the threat effectively.
Prevention strategies and recommendationsHealthcare professionals emphasize several key prevention strategies. Avoiding close contact with visibly ill individuals remains crucial, as does maintaining good ventilation in shared spaces. While a tuberculosis vaccine exists, its limited use in the United States means other preventive measures take precedence.
The broader implicationsThis outbreak serves as a stark reminder that tuberculosis remains a significant public health concern in modern America. The situation challenges the common perception of TB as a disease of the past, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and robust public health infrastructure.
Looking ahead: containment effortsPublic health officials continue working diligently to contain the outbreak, implementing comprehensive testing and treatment programs. The CDC maintains regular monitoring of the situation, providing guidance and support to state health authorities as they combat this unprecedented health crisis.
Resources and support systemsVarious support systems have been established to assist affected communities. Local health departments offer testing services and treatment guidance, while state and federal resources provide additional backing for containment efforts. Healthcare providers work closely with public health officials to ensure coordinated response and care delivery.
Understanding personal risk factorsWhile the outbreak remains concerning, health officials emphasize that the general population's risk remains relatively low. However, certain factors can increase susceptibility, including close contact with infected individuals, compromised immune systems, and living or working in high-risk environments.
The Kansas tuberculosis outbreak underscores the importance of maintaining robust public health systems and remaining vigilant against infectious diseases. Through understanding, awareness, and proper preventive measures, communities can work together to control this outbreak and protect vulnerable populations.
Kansas Is Dealing With Major Tuberculosis Outbreak
Kansas is grappling with what state health officials say is one of the largest tuberculosis outbreaks there since the 1950s, one that has infected dozens of people.
The epicenter of the outbreak, which began last January and was blamed for two deaths in 2024, is in Wyandotte and Johnson Counties, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Both are part of the Kansas City, Kan., metropolitan area in the eastern part of the state.
It is unclear what caused the outbreak, and state health officials did not immediately respond to questions about the origin.
While the state's health agency described the risk to the general public as "very low," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had four employees on site in Kansas as of Tuesday to help with contact investigation, testing and screening, a spokeswoman for the center said in an email. The team was also coordinating with community leaders to educate the public about tuberculosis, an infectious disease that is caused by bacteria and most often affects the lungs.
"This outbreak is still ongoing, which means that there could be more cases," Jill Bronaugh, a spokeswoman for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, wrote in an email on Tuesday.
Briefly overtaken by the coronavirus as the world's deadliest infectious disease during the pandemic, tuberculosis reclaimed that grim distinction in 2023, when it took 1.25 million lives, according to the World Health Organization. The disease, which is curable, spreads through the air when infected people cough, sneeze or spit. Without treatment, which usually involves antibiotics, tuberculosis can be fatal. Symptoms can include a prolonged cough, fever and unexplained weight loss.
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