North Carolina tuberculosis cases on the rise after 30 years of decline

RALEIGH, N.C. — Tuberculosis cases are on the rise, including in North Carolina.

The Kansas City area is currently at the epicenter of an unusual tuberculosis outbreak, where 67 people are being treated for the highly contagious disease

Tuberculosis is spread through air particles and impacts the lungs with a cough, fever and long illness.

“Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by slow growing bacteria,” said Dr. Nicholas Turner, an infectious disease specialist with Duke Health. “It usually affects the lungs, so most patients will present with a cough, fever and weight loss.” 

Turner said the illness typically lasts up to three weeks. 

“It’s fully treatable, it’s just a long treatment to take care of it,” he said.