Kansas is currently grappling with an alarming outbreak of tuberculosis (TB), reported as the largest recorded in the history of the U.S. since monitoring began in the 1950s. Health officials have identified 67 active cases along with 79 latent infections in the Kansas City metro area, primarily affecting Wyandotte County and Johnson County, according to the Independent and other sources.

As of January 2024, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reports that active cases increased sharply, leading to a public health alert. The ongoing outbreak has resulted in two fatalities since its inception, raising concerns about transmission and adequate treatment. Newsweek stresses that TB is an infectious disease transmitted through the air, particularly from individuals with active infections.

In a detailed announcement, KDHE Deputy Secretary Ashley Goss noted, “Currently, Kansas has the largest outbreak that they’ve ever had in history,” reflecting the severity of the situation.

While the outbreak is historically significant, a spokesperson from the CDC mentioned that there were at least two larger outbreaks, one of which occurred in Georgia between 2015 and 2017 involving over 170 active cases. Thus, while the Kansas outbreak is alarming, it may not hold the record status claimed by local officials, as outlined by reports from The Guardian.

The symptoms associated with active TB include prolonged cough, chest pain, and weight loss, as detailed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Yet, local health departments insist that the general public remains at "very low risk" for contracting the disease.

Medical officials have mobilized resources to monitor TB patients and identify any close contacts to prevent further spread. Testing and treatment efforts have been emphasized, with the KDHE offering free services to the uninsured, according to HuffPost.

The U.S. has seen a significant rise in TB cases recently, with over 9,600 reported in 2023, marking the highest count in a decade. Public health alarms continue as efforts to control this unprecedented outbreak unfold across Kansas, representing a stark reminder of the challenges posed by infectious diseases.

For continuous updates, refer to original reports from various outlets like CNN and AP News.