Tuberculosis cases on the rise in the US: How to protect yourself and everything you need to know

[cbabe]

https://english.elpais.com/health/2025-05-19/tuberculosis-cases-on-the-rise-in-the-us-how-to-protect-yourself-and-everything-you-need-to-know.html

Tuberculosis cases on the rise in the US: How to protect yourself and everything you need to know

Currently, several states have outbreaks. In Kansas City, where cases have increased 148%, two deaths have been reported

ALONSO MARTÍNEZ
MAY 19, 2025 - 07:04 EDT

…

Among the causes are increased travel after the pandemic, sanitation problems linked to Covid, and outbreaks in several states. Similarly, the country suffered from a shortage of TB drugs between 2021 and 2023. In 2024, 10,347 TB cases were reported, representing an 8% increase over the previous year and the highest level in 12 years.

The study also found that TB may affect some groups more than others. Most of the cases in 2024 were among people not born in the United States, particularly Latinos. The largest number were reported in California (2,100).

However, the numbers remain relatively low, with only about 10 people in 100,000 having been infected with TB.

Current outbreaks

Recent reports mention that there are currently outbreaks in several states. In Kansas City, there has been a 148% increase and two deaths have been reported. The origin of the outbreak is unknown at this time. The other states with the highest number of cases are Alaska and Hawaii.

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[lark]

1. My mother died from her lungs being destroyed by atypical TB.

It was in the aveoli not the lungs itself so got missed for 9 months. She died from chronic pulmonary fibrosis because of this. It was weird that none of us got it from her.