Forbes January 29, 2025
Although it’s often thought of as a disease of the past, tuberculosis is still found widely around the world, killing around 1.25 million people annually.
The U.S. typically sees thousands of tuberculosis disease cases every year. Right now, Kansas is in the midst of a major outbreak that’s infected hundreds of people and sadly killed two.
So, what causes tuberculosis and how can you prevent its spread?
What Is Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis is usually caused by infection with a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs, but can also harm the kidneys, the brain and the spine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The condition comes in two forms: latent and active. In latent TB cases,...