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Tuberculosis Outbreak in Kansas and Kansas City Metro: What it Means for Health Care Providers

Writer's picture: Brayan Mancia GuardadoBrayan Mancia Guardado

Doctor checking patient for Tuberculosis.

A tuberculosis (TB) outbreak is causing concern across Kansas and the Kansas City metro area, with local health departments and medical facilities on high alert. TB, a serious bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs, can be fatal if left untreated and is transmitted through the air from person to person. In light of this growing health threat, hospitals, schools, and public health departments are stepping up efforts to monitor and manage TB risks. This is where technology can play a key role in ensuring public health safety, particularly for healthcare organizations and institutions that need to maintain strict compliance with TB regulations.


What is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis is caused by a bacteria that most commonly attacks the lungs, though it can affect other parts of the body. The disease spreads when a person with active TB speaks, coughs, sings or sneezes, releasing the bacteria into the air. While TB is treatable, it requires timely diagnosis and consistent treatment to prevent serious complications and transmission. Common symptoms include persistent cough, fever, night sweats, and weight loss. It’s important to note that someone with latent or inactive tuberculosis (TB) does not experience symptoms, feel unwell, or spread the disease to others. However, without proper treatment, latent TB can develop into active TB disease at any time, potentially leading to illness.


Details of the Outbreak

As of January 24, 2025, health officials have confirmed 67 active TB cases, with the majority being treated in Wyandotte County. There are 79 cases of latent (inactive) TB. However,  health authorities have not yet to determine the exact cause of the outbreak.

To combat the outbreak, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is working closely with local health departments and healthcare providers to identify and test individuals who may have been exposed. The outbreak has led to an increase in TB screenings, as well as enhanced monitoring of employees and populations who are at higher risk.


How Hospitals and Institutions Can Respond

With the growing number of cases, it’s crucial for hospitals, schools, and public health departments to efficiently track TB screenings, symptoms, and exposures. Regulatory compliance is key in these situations, as timely testing and reporting can prevent further spread and ensure that institutions remain in line with public health guidelines. It is also important for healthcare settings to have infection control measures in place to minimize exposure and spread of TB.


How TrackMy’s Health Compliance Platform Can Help

In moments like this, managing employee health data and ensuring timely compliance can be overwhelming for healthcare organizations and institutions. That's where TrackMy's Health Compliance Platform can provide a crucial solution. Our digital TB Workflow simplifies the process of managing tuberculosis screening compliance, allowing employees or students to complete secure digital surveys and upload test results. The system automatically tracks responses, identifies risks, and generates detailed compliance reports, reducing the administrative burden on health teams. In addition, our Symptom and Exposure Documentation feature enables healthcare facilities to document and manage employee symptoms and exposure incidents in real time. With automated follow-up reminders and secure data storage, the platform ensures that health departments can maintain a clear audit trail while safeguarding privacy.


Lastly, respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is crucial for healthcare providers (HCPs) caring for tuberculosis patients, as it helps prevent the transmission of bacteria. Proper use of RPE, such as N95 respirators, is essential in safeguarding healthcare workers from potential exposure while ensuring compliance with infection control protocols. TrackMy offers a sleek and user-friendly Respirator Fit Testing workflow, which allows for digital completion of OSHA medical evaluations, real-time fit test administrations, and documentation of historical fit test records. This enables HCPs and employee health teams to maintain compliance and access up-to-date information about an individual’s health history and fit test record. This ensures that healthcare workers are using the appropriate mask and maintaining necessary safety standards in line with regulatory requirements.


Conclusion

As the TB outbreak continues in Kansas and the Kansas City metro area, effective health compliance practices are more important than ever. Hospitals, schools, and public health departments need systems that allow for real-time tracking of screenings, symptoms, and exposures. With the right tools in place, institutions can stay ahead of potential outbreaks and ensure they are ready to respond to health challenges, no matter where they arise.

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