29-01-2025
Johnson County Health Dept. responds to tuberculosis concerns
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In response to a tuberculosis outbreak, the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE), the Wyandotte County Public Health Department, and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment have been working together since March 2024.
JCDHE confirmed Tuesday that all patients in Johnson County, comprising seven active cases and two latent cases, have completed treatment and are not infectious.
Kansas officials say risk is low after tuberculosis outbreak
More cases may be found among Johnson County residents as testing goes on. JCDHE said the risk to the general public remains low; however, it will monitor the situation closely and is taking all necessary steps to prevent a potential spread.
The response from Johnson County comes days after Kansas officials said there is a low risk to the public of contracting tuberculosis.
But according to online data, as of Friday, Jan. 24, there were 67 active cases of the disease. The breakdown includes 60 in Wyandotte County and seven in Johnson County.
TB is spread through the air from one person to another and is put into the air when a person with active TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, speaks or sings.
Tuberculosis is not spread by touch, and you cannot get TB by walking past an infectious person.
Kansas news: Headlines from Wichita, Topeka and around the Sunflower State
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control with the University of Kansas Health System, also says the risk is low and treatment is available.
'Typically, it is four drugs for a few weeks, and then we go down to two drugs. Most of them are pills. People need to be treated for at least six months and sometimes longer,' Hawkinson shared.
Symptoms include a prolonged cough, which could include a bloody cough, night sweats and weight loss. These are symptoms that could persist for weeks or months. Hawkinson says it's difficult to tell if you may or may not be sick.
You can read more from the CDC about the Skin Test here.
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