A tuberculosis (TB) outbreak has appeared in northeastern Kansas, killing two people since its appearance in January 2024.
Cases remain low in Sedgwick County and the risk of contracting remains low unless significant contact is made with someone who has active TB.
Active TB is when a person is displaying active symptoms and is contagious. Latent TB is also possible: when a person has the infection but is asymptomatic and non-contagious. Latent TB can develop into active TB if left untreated.
TB is a contagious disease, with symptoms of fever, fatigue, chest pains, coughing up blood or mucus, and loss of appetite. While symptoms can appear similar to the flu, TB can last up to a month, while the flu typically only lasts seven days.
If a student thinks they might have contracted TB, they should make an appointment with Student Health Services through their myShockerHealth portal, or contact their primary health physician.
Student Health has on-campus tuberculosis testing, as well as on-site chest X-ray services. Additional information about TB screenings and services can be found on the Sedgwick County Health Department website.
Editor’s note: Tuberculosis was inaccurately referred to as a virus in a previous version of this story. Tuberculosis is caused by a bacteria. The current version of the story has been updated to omit the inaccuracy.
K Smith • Feb 4, 2025 at 11:10 am
May I offer that a correction is in order. The statement “when a person has the virus…” is incorrect.
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium (not a virus) called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
The Sunflower • Feb 4, 2025 at 3:47 pm
Hello, K Smith,
Thank you for pointing out this inaccuracy. We’re committed to providing truth and transparency, so we’ve updated our article to more accurately reflect what causes tuberculosis.