Outbreak of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis - Kansas, 2021-2022

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology

Background:

• An outbreak of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) occurred in a low-income urban Kansas community between November 2021 and November 2022.
• The outbreak involved 13 individuals across four households, indicating potential community transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the epidemiology and transmission dynamics of an MDR TB outbreak in an under-resourced urban setting.
• To identify risk factors and potential sources of infection for MDR TB.

Main Methods:

• Case investigation and contact tracing were conducted for all identified individuals.
• Genotyping was used to determine the genetic relationship between TB isolates.
• Demographic and clinical data were collected and analyzed.

Main Results:

• The outbreak involved 13 persons, with a majority of adult cases born in a country previously experiencing an MDR TB outbreak with the same genotype.
• Most pediatric cases were U.S.-born, suggesting potential transmission within the community.
• The outbreak strain shared the same genotype as a previous MDR TB outbreak in 2007-2009.

Conclusions:

• Prompt identification, evaluation, and treatment of MDR TB cases and their contacts are crucial for limiting transmission.
• The findings underscore the importance of global surveillance and targeted interventions in high-risk populations.
• Under-resourced communities may be particularly vulnerable to outbreaks of infectious diseases like MDR TB.