Tuberculosis/TB

Kansas City Area Tuberculosis (TB) Outbreak

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is working with the Wyandotte County Public Health Department and the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment in response to a tuberculosis (TB) outbreak in our area. The agencies are following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure patients are receiving proper treatment and to prevent additional cases from occurring. There is very low risk of TB infection to the general public.

Learn more about the Kansas City Area TB Outbreak on the KDHE website.

Goal

Tuberculosis (TB) program works daily to prevent TB in our community. TB control plays a vital role in public health. 

How does the TB Program work?

Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and active TB disease are reportable conditions in Kansas. If you are a Wyandotte County resident with a positive TB test and possible TB disease, your healthcare provider and laboratory must notify public health. Our program will follow up with you. All information will be kept confidential.

Our TB nurses work closely with individuals and their healthcare providers to ensure that people with active TB disease complete their entire course of treatment. Our staff also identifies the contacts of people with active diseases and gets them the testing and treatment they need.

The TB program provides education and encourages all people with latent TB infection to get treated, so they won’t develop the disease and possibly spread it to others.

Who is eligible for TB services?

Treatment

Wyandotte County residents with TB disease or TB infection are eligible for treatment through our program. In some special situations, our program treats non-residents, including those who work or visit here.

Testing

Anyone can get a TB test through our health department laboratory. Note: TB testing may not be appropriate for people who have a documented past positive TB test.

Tuberculosis (TB) Testing Forms

If you need to get tested for Tuberculosis (TB), you may be asked to complete the forms below. You only need to fill out these forms if you’ve been instructed to do so before a TB testing appointment or testing event.

English Forms
Spanish Forms
Burmese Forms
Nepali Forms

How much do TB services cost?

Medications are free for individuals with active disease or TB infection. TB testing and evaluation are provided at no cost to people with recent exposure (close contact) to a person with active TB disease. TB testing for any other reason (including school, work, or immigration) is offered through the health department’s laboratory for a fee.

Tuberculin skin tests (TSTs) and blood tests are available.

About TB

Quick Facts About TB:

  • TB is caused by a bacterium that usually affects the lungs, but it can affect other parts of the body.
  • There are two types of TB infection: 1) active TB disease, which makes people feel sick and can be spread to others and 2) latent TB infection, which is inactive, doesn't make people feel sick, and can’t be spread to others.
  • TB spreads through the air when a person with active TB disease coughs, speaks, or sings. Prolonged contact is how it spreads from person-to-person.
  • TB is not spread by kissing, shaking hands, sharing food, drink or toothbrushes, or by touching objects like bed linens or toilet seats.
  • TB is treatable with antibiotics. Shortly after beginning treatment, a person with active TB disease will no longer be infectious.

CDC: Information About Tuberculosis (TB)

For Healthcare Providers

Active TB cases (confirmed or suspected) are reportable to public health by phone within (4) hours. Latent TB infection is reportable within (24) hours. See disease reporting contact information below.

Kansas Department of Health and Environment Disease Reporting:

  • KDHE Epidemiology Hotline: 877-427-7317 (Answered 24/7)
  • KDHE Fax: 877-427-7318

Wyandotte County Public Health Department Disease Reporting:

  • WYCO PHD Disease Reporting Phone Number: (913) 573-6712
  • WYCO PHD Disease Reporting Fax Number: (913) 573-6744
  • Wyandotte County Communicable Disease Control After-Hours Emergency Hotline: (913) 573-8877

Kansas Notifiable Disease Form(PDF, 181KB)

Kansas State Statute (KSA)

Ch. 65 - Public Health - Artic. 1 Sec. 65-118, 65-1, 164,65-1, 244 - Secretary of Health & Environment, Activities

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