Tuberculosis (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 by phone to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) within (4) hours: call 877-427-7317. Latent TB infection is reportable to KDHE and the Wyandotte County Public Health Department within (24) hours.

Disease Reporting contact information:

Kansas Department of Health and Environment:

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

Wyandotte County Public Health Department:

• Disease Reporting Phone Number: (913) 573-6712
• WyCo PHD Disease Reporting Fax* Number: (913) 573-6744*

*If you are faxing information on latent TB infection or another 24-hour reportable condition, please use the Kansas Notifiable Disease Reporting Form. For 4-hour reportable diseases (including confirmed or suspected active TB), please call first instead of faxing, if possible.

More Information on Notifiable Diseases in Kansas

Healthcare providers and other mandated reporters are required to notify public health departments of any suspected or confirmed reportable disease/condition, as defined by Kansas statute and regulation:

• Kansas State Statute (K.S.A.) Chapter 65: K.S.A. 65-118; 65-128; and 65-6001 through 65-6007;
• Kansas Administrative Regulations (K.A.R.): K.A.R. 28-1-2 and 28-1-18. 

KDHE: Disease Reporting for Health Professionals

More Resources on Notifiable Diseases:

• Kansas Notifiable Disease List(PDF, 124KB)
• Influenza Reporting Form(PDF, 112KB)
• Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Reporting Form(PDF, 224KB)
• Varicella Reporting Form(PDF, 201KB)
• Food-related Illness Online Reporting Form

Other Resources for Providers

• Providers sign up for Kansas Health Alert Network
• CDC: Health Care Provider Communication and Education Resources - TB