Kansas Faces One of Largest Tuberculosis Outbreaks in Decades

USUnited States|

Kansas is grappling with a significant tuberculosis (TB) outbreak, reporting 67 active cases across two counties since January 2024, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. This number is notably higher than the average annual cases for the entire state. Health experts have expressed concerns that reduced public health powers may hinder response efforts, citing a weakened infrastructure as a contributing factor to the outbreak’s severity.

David Dowdy, a professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, called TB outbreaks indicative of broader public health issues and stated, "It's one of the largest outbreaks of tuberculosis that we've seen in the country in the past 30, 40, 50 years." Additionally, state officials are currently monitoring 384 individuals undergoing testing and treatment.

Jill Bronaugh, communications director for the health department, noted that efforts are underway to educate schools and businesses on preventing TB spread. The outbreak raises alarms as recent legislative actions, which limit public health mandates, could compromise future responses to infectious diseases.

Weekly Newsletter

Loading...

More from United States

Tragic Pit Bull Attack Claims Life of 7-Month-Old Girl in Ohio

In a heartbreaking incident in Columbus, Ohio, a 7-month-old girl, Elizah Turner, died following an attack by one of her family's three pet pit bulls. The child's mother, Mackenzie Copley, expressed her devastation on social media, stating, "I will never understand why," and shared memories of her daughter with the dogs. According to Columbus Police Sgt. James Fuqua, the attack occurred at the family's home on South Champion Avenue and appeared to be accidental. Elizah’s father, Kameron Turner, also mourned publicly, questioning, “How can I continue living without her?” The Franklin County Coroner's Office confirmed the child's identity, describing her as a vibrant and joyful child. "Lizah was spunky, happy… and she was never without a smile," her obituary read. Following the incident, the three dogs have been taken into custody by Franklin County Animal Control, who will assess their fate after a thorough investigation, as reported by WBNS.
USUnited States

US Defense Chief Warns of China's Hypersonic Missile Threat to Navy

In a significant warning, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Chinese hypersonic missiles could potentially destroy the entire fleet of US aircraft carriers within 20 minutes of conflict onset. "China has 15 hypersonic missiles that can take out 10 aircraft carriers in the first 20 minutes of the conflict," Hegseth stated in a recent interview, highlighting the growing military capabilities of China. Hegseth indicated that US war games consistently favor China, suggesting that the US is lagging in military preparedness due to bureaucratic challenges and slow weapon acquisition processes. He mentioned concerns regarding China's rising influence over strategic sites such as the Panama Canal, critical for US container traffic, which saw 73% of its vessels associated with US ports. In response to growing fears about Chinese dominance in the region, a joint security deal was signed in early April, allowing US military personnel to conduct training exercises in Panama. This initiative aims to enhance security around the canal, which has seen expanded Chinese investment and military presence in recent years.
USUnited States

Meta Faces Landmark Antitrust Trial Over Instagram and WhatsApp

Meta Platforms Inc. is set to confront a significant antitrust trial that could result in the forced divestment of its popular platforms, Instagram and WhatsApp. According to the Associated Press, this trial will evaluate the legality of Meta's acquisitions, which were made over a decade ago when both services were smaller startups. The U.S. Department of Justice argues that these acquisitions have created an unfair competitive advantage in the social media landscape, thus harming consumers and stifling innovation. If the court rules against Meta, the company may be compelled to separate from these widely used services. The trial marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing scrutiny over tech monopolies and could reshape the future of digital communication platforms. More than a dozen states are also joining the federal government in taking action against Meta, highlighting widespread concerns about monopolistic practices in the tech industry. Meta has consistently denied the allegations, claiming that competition in the marketplace remains robust.
USUnited States
All United States News ->