Health officials in Kansas are dealing with an unprecedented tuberculosis outbreak that has sickened nearly 70 people in two counties in the Kansas City metro area. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has called it the largest tuberculosis outbreak in U.S. history. Oklahoma’s State Department of Health is closely monitoring the situation in Kansas, but currently, there is no evidence to suggest that the outbreak has affected Oklahoma residents.
Tuberculosis is not a common occurrence in Oklahoma, with only 60-70 cases reported each year. In 2024, Oklahoma reported 64 cases of TB and 1,486 latent TB infections. So far in 2025, there have been only 9 reported cases of TB in Oklahoma. Corrections facilities are a common place for tuberculosis outbreaks, with 60 out of 66 reported TB cases in Oklahoma in 2023 occurring inside a corrections facility.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health is encouraging residents to continue taking precautions to prevent the spread of tuberculosis, including frequent handwashing, wearing masks in crowded areas, and practicing good respiratory hygiene. They are also advising residents to stay informed about the situation in Kansas and to seek medical attention if they believe they have been exposed to tuberculosis. The department will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed.
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