JCDHE monitors TB situation

The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) has been collaborating with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Wyandotte County Public Health Department on a tuberculosis outbreak since March 2024. In response to recent media attention and inquiries from the public, JCDHE confirms that all patients in Johnson County (comprising seven active cases and two latent cases) have completed treatment and are not infectious. As testing continues, there is the potential that additional cases among Johnson County residents will be identified. JCDHE continues to closely monitor the situation and is taking all necessary steps to prevent potential spread. The risk to the general public remains low.
Shortly after beginning treatment, a person with active TB disease is no longer infectious. A person with latent TB (inactive infection) cannot spread TB to others but takes treatment to prevent the development of active TB disease.
Anyone can get TB, but you’re most at risk if you’ve had repeated and prolonged exposure to a person with active TB disease (e.g., you live with or work alongside someone with active TB).
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.