CDC Reports Doubling of Large Tuberculosis Outbreaks in the U.S., Highlighting Social Vulnerabilities
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a significant increase in large tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks in the United States, with the number of such outbreaks doubling between 2017 and 2023. According to the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 50 large outbreaks, defined as 10 or more related cases within a three-year period, were identified across 23 states. This marks a sharp rise from the 24 outbreaks recorded from 2014 to 2016. The outbreaks accounted for 1,092 cases out of nearly 62,000 TB cases reported during the seven-year period. The CDC notes that while the U.S. maintains one of the lowest TB incidence rates globally, the increase in large outbreaks indicates persistent transmission within close-contact settings, particularly among individuals facing social and economic instability. The data reveals that nearly 80% of those involved in large outbreaks were U.S.-born, a stark contrast to the broader TB population, where only 26% of cases occur in U.S.-born individua... 
