Small cluster of active tuberculosis cases found in Wyandotte County, Kansas
A handful of active tuberculosis cases have been confirmed in Wyandotte County, Kansas, state and local health officials announced Wednesday.
The number of cases is fewer than 10 patients at this time, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Unified Government Public Health Department of Wyandotte County said in a joint news release.
Officials with the health agencies are working to make sure patients are receiving treatment and taking steps to prevent the disease from spreading to others. They are also working with and following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventing while they investigate the cases.
There is minimal risk to the general public while the investigation takes place, health officials said. Wyandotte County health officials are working with each patient to identify people who have been in close contact so that they could be notified and given a free test by local health officials.
Kansas lawmakers approved a bill last month severely curtailing the authority of public health officials in Kansas to enforce quarantines and other policies to stem the spread of infectious disease. The bill, which is likely to be vetoed by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, does include a carve out allowing for criminal penalties for people who violate tuberculosis rules.
TB, which is spread through the air similar to the way that cold and flu viruses spread, is an infectious disease caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis and is most commonly found in the lungs. TB bacteria can spread to other parts of the body, such as the kidney, spine and brain, according to the health agencies.
In most cases, TB spreads through prolonged contact and is treatable. It is not spread by kissing, shaking hands, sharing food, drink or toothbrushes, according to the news release.
Most people infected by the bacteria do not develop active tuberculosis. Instead, they are considered to have latent TB infection because their immune system protects them. Only those with symptoms of active TB can spread the disease to others, according to the health agencies.
Symptoms of active TB include feeling sick or weak, night sweats, coughing, chest pain or coughing up blood. People should contact their primary care doctor or other medical professionals if they feel they have been infected.
