The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has tracked this outbreak for over a year. Since , there have been 67 tuberculosis cases reported in two Kansas counties, according to KDHE. Despite the historic nature of this outbreak, Adrienne Byrne from the Sedgwick County Health Department emphasized that the risk of contracting tuberculosis remains low for the general public.
To contract tuberculosis, a person must spend an extended period in close contact with someone who has the disease. On average, Sedgwick County sees 8 to 12 tuberculosis cases each year, with being an outlier, recording 14 cases. Tuberculosis primarily affects the lungs but can also impact other parts of the body. According to KDHE, an infected person cannot spread tuberculosis through kissing, shaking hands, or sharing food, drinks, or toothbrushes.
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Advertise with WTVY. Jobs at WTVY. Zeam - News Streams. The CW. Circle Country. Gray DC Bureau. Digital Marketing. Dismiss Weather Alerts Alerts Bar. Tuberculosis outbreak in Midwest is the largest in US history. By Keith Grant and Debra Worley. Published: Jan. Email This Link.
