Kansas

Kansas tuberculosis outbreak becomes largest ever in US

Published

12 months ago

January 27, 2025

Kansas tuberculosis outbreak becomes largest ever in US

An unprecedented tuberculosis (TB) outbreak in Kansas has reached historic levels, becoming the largest recorded in U.S. history.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has reported 67 active cases since 2024, with 60 in Wyandotte County and 7 in Johnson County.

Additionally, 79 latent infections—77 in Wyandotte County and 2 in Johnson County—have been identified.

“Currently, Kansas has the largest outbreak that they’ve ever had in history,” Ashley Goss, a deputy secretary at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), told the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee on January 21, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal.

A KDHE spokesperson later clarified the statement, explaining that the current outbreak “is the largest documented outbreak in U.S. history.” Newsweek contacted the KDHE via email for further comment.

A stock photo of a doctor examining chest x-ray film in a medical laboratory at a hospital.

Amorn Suriyan/Getty

Why This Matters

TB, though treatable, remains a serious infectious disease that can lead to complications and fatalities if untreated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate 13 million Americans live with inactive TB and about 10 percent of these individuals could develop active TB without treatment.

The sharp rise in TB cases—from 51 statewide in 2023 to 109 in 2024—has placed a spotlight on public health measures. Kansas health officials are actively working to contain the outbreak, partnering with the CDC to prevent further transmission.

What to Know

TB is caused by bacteria that primarily attack the lungs but can affect other parts of the body. The infection spreads through the air via coughs or speech but requires prolonged contact for transmission.

Active TB disease makes individuals sick and is infectious, while latent TB infections are dormant, non-contagious and symptom-free but can become active.

Treatment is available for both active and latent TB infections and involves a several-month regimen of antibiotics. Active TB patients are typically non-contagious after 10 days of treatment.

Wyandotte County has been the hardest hit, but health officials maintain that the general public remains at “very low risk.”

A map shows counties impacted by the ongoing tuberculosis outbreak in Kansas.

What People Are Saying

Goss told the Senate Committee: “Some of you are aware, we have and still have mobilized staff and resources addressing an unprecedented tuberculosis outbreak in one of our counties. We are working collaboratively with CDC on that. CDC remains on the ground with us to support. That’s not a negative.

“This is normal when there’s something unprecedented or a large outbreak of any kind, they will come and lend resources to us to help get a stop to that.”

What Happens Next

Kansas health officials and the CDC are continuing their collaborative response to the outbreak.

Their efforts include identifying and testing individuals who have been in close contact with TB patients and ensuring that both active and latent cases receive proper treatment.

Vaccinations for TB are available in the U.S., though they are seldom used, according to the CDC.

For now, Goss said that infections are “trending in the right direction.”

Is there a health problem that’s worrying you? Do you have a question about low blood pressure? Let us know via health@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice and your story could be featured in Newsweek.

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Related Topics:bacteria diseases Featured health infectious diseases kansas outbreak TB tuburculosis

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Kansas

Kansas basketball vs WVU final score, highlights: Jayhawks suffer loss

Published

12 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

Kansas basketball vs WVU final score, highlights: Jayhawks suffer loss

Kansas basketball’s regular season continued Saturday, Jan. 10, with a Big 12 Conference game on the road against West Virginia, and saw KU lose 86-75.

The No. 21 Jayhawks struggled mightily down the stretch in the second half. The Mountaineers fed off of their home crowd. Had KU won, it would have been the first time WVU lost at home this season.

Here is what happened during this game in Morgantown, West Virginia:

The Jayhawks are running out of time, as the Mountaineers appear to lead comfortably with about four minutes left in regulation. It’s a 22-5 run for WVU right now. Kansas has hit just two of its last 14 shots from the field.

West Virginia is now on a 13-0 run, and leading by five points with about nine and a half minutes remaining in regulation. Kansas hasn’t scored in more than five minutes. KU also has missed its last eight shots from the field.

Kansas hasn’t scored in more than three minutes, and West Virginia has used that drought to go on a 7-0 run. The Mountaineers could also tie the score coming out of this break, as a WVU player scored while getting fouled going into this timeout. It’s important to note that it’s not just Bryson Tiller who’s in foul trouble for Kansas with four fouls, as Flory Bidunga has three fouls.

Darryn Peterson is up to 20 points and six rebounds, as he’s continued to connect on every opportunity from the free-throw line. Foul trouble, though, has started to become a problem. Kansas has a starter in Bryson Tiller who’s up to four fouls, and West Virginia has two starters who are up to three fouls.

Brenen Lorient has thrived on the way to nine points, as West Virginia holds a slim lead with a little less than five minutes left in the first half. The Mountaineers have been able to gain an advantage from behind the arc. KU still hasn’t established long-range shooting as a threat, with WVU putting itself in a position for an upset.

3-point shooting hasn’t played a major role in the game so far, with the Jayhawks not even hitting one yet today. However, KU still holds a slim lead with about 11 and a half minutes remaining before halftime. Darryn Peterson has tried to be that standout talent for Kansas, but the shots haven’t fallen.

Kansas is trailing early, as the Jayhawks have struggled to see Darryn Peterson get going. Bryson Tiller has not lived up to his potential on the defensive end. Look for KU to do more to involve Flory Bidunga.

Pregame

Check out the starting lineups

Kansas coach Bill Self previews game

Kansas basketball vs West Virginia game time

Date: Saturday, Jan. 10
Time: 11 a.m. (CT)
Location: Hope Coliseum in Morgantown, West Virginia

What channel is Kansas basketball vs West Virginia game on today?

Kansas basketball’s game against West Virginia will be broadcast on FOX during the 2025-26 college season. Streaming options include Fubo. It’s a chance for KU to earn another road win this season.

Kansas basketball vs West Virginia betting line

Odds courtesy of FanDuel as of Saturday, Jan. 10

Spread: Kansas by 3.5
O/U: 138.5

Kansas basketball 2025-26 schedule

Here’s a look at Kansas’ last three games:

Dec. 22 (home): Davidson — Kansas won 90-61
Jan. 3 (away): UCF — Kansas lost 81-75
Jan. 6 (home): TCU — Kansas won 104-100

West Virginia basketball 2025-26 schedule

Here’s a look at West Virginia’s last three games:

Dec. 22 (home): Mississippi Valley State — West Virginia won 86-51
Jan. 2 (away): Iowa State — West Virginia lost 80-59
Jan. 6 (home): Cincinnati — West Virginia won 62-60

Kansas basketball vs West Virginia score

Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.

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Kansas

LET’S TALK | KSHB coming to Northeast Kansas City, Missouri, on Jan. 20

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

LET’S TALK | KSHB coming to Northeast Kansas City, Missouri, on Jan. 20

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The KSHB 41 News team will be landing in Northeast Kansas City, Missouri, for our latest Let’s Talk event.

We’ll be hanging out from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at Peachtree Cafeteria, 2128 E. 12th Street, in Kansas City, Missouri, 64127.

Join KSHB 41’s Kevin Holmes, Wes Peery, Alyssa Jackson, Ryan Gamboa and others in person to let us know what we need to learn about the Historic Northeast, its residents, what’s going well and what opportunities are possible.

If you can’t make it in person, send us a question using the form below.

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Kansas

Kansas ag officials take comment on proposed water rules

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Kansas ag officials take comment on proposed water rules

by: Wil Day

Posted: Jan 8, 2026 / 07:19 PM CST

Updated: Jan 8, 2026 / 07:19 PM CST

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Kansas Department of Agriculture held a meeting on Thursday to discuss proposed rules regarding the Kansas Water Appropriation Act.

The Division of Water Resources is proposing new regulations and changes to current regulations under the law.

The division is looking at amending or revoking regulations related to flowmeters tracking water usage.

It is also proposing changes to groundwater usage rules on how far you can move a well from its original location to prevent harming the water rights of other landowners.

Another regulation would create voluntary Water Conservation Areas, where landowners work with the division to establish water conservation plans on their properties.

Some of the concerns raised at Thursday’s meeting dealt with property rights and the transfer of land to new owners. Some expressed concern about the sale of water rights to other landowners in the area.

There is no listed timeline for when the changes could be made.

For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here.

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