A rapid response can prevent TB outbreaks
Tuberculosis testing

Tuberculosis outbreaks: History, recent cases and what you should know

A look back: TB outbreak history

Tuberculosis (TB) has shaped public health worldwide for centuries. In the 1800s, TB or “consumption” killed about a quarter of the adult population of Europe, earning the name “white plague” (1). Antibiotics and improved sanitation have reduced the prevalence of TB, but TB remains the world’s leading infectious killer. Even in countries with a low TB burden, TB exposure and transmission events can occur in densely populated urban centers, refugee camps and areas with high HIV prevalence, underscoring the urgent need for early detection and sustained prevention strategies.

Lessons learned from public health responses

Successful public health responses to TB exposure events rely on early detection, robust treatment programs and coordinated surveillance. Investments in laboratory testing, directly observed therapy (DOT), infection control and community outreach have proved essential in containing the spread of TB. Preventing TB requires integration of new diagnostic technologies and strong partnerships across public health agencies, healthcare institutions and policymakers.

Recent TB outbreaks in the US and Europe (2024–2025)

Across Europe, nearly 39,000 cases of TB disease were reported in 2023, marking a continued upward trend after years of decline (2). Public health agencies carry out thousands of TB contact investigations annually, often in schools, healthcare facilities and migrant reception centers.

Notable recent transmission events in the US, France, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands highlight the urgent need for early detection and rapid response to protect vulnerable populations. 

Recent TB outbreaks map europe and US
Global TB incidence and recent contact investigations.
 Date   Location   Setting   Description of event   Source 
 May, 2024  León, Spain  Migrant reception center   Active TB case confirmed; 
 one fatality and ~20 contacts identified.		  consalud.es 
 Dec, 2024   Jura, France  Primary school   Active TB case confirmed; 
 6 hospitalized, ~50 people screened.		  hebdo39.net
 Jan, 2025  Kansas, United States  Community spread

Largest outbreak in recent US history;
 66 active TB cases confirmed.

  abcnews.go.com
 Feb, 2025  South Holland,
 Netherlands		  Food factory  Active TB case confirmed; 
 80 contacts screened.		  dutchnews.nl
 Mar, 2025  Dresden, Germany  Daycare center  Active TB case confirmed; 
 ~160 contacts tested.
  t-online.de
 Mar, 2025  Barcelona, Spain  Community transmission  Active TB case confirmed; 
 >26 people affected; investigation ongoing.		  elpais.com
 Jul, 2025  Tulsa, OK  McLain High School   Active TB case confirmed; 
 investigation ongoing.
  thesun.com.uk

The hidden threat: Asymptomatic TB infection

Tuberculosis is an airborne infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Asymptomatic TB infection, also called latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), shows no signs or symptoms and cannot be passed on to others. However, people with TB infection are at risk for progression to serious and contagious TB disease. 

Why millions are infected but unaware

Millions of people are living with TB infection but are unaware because they have no symptoms. Without testing, these individuals often go undiagnosed until TB becomes active and contagious. This hidden reservoir underscores the importance of testing high-risk groups to identify infection early and reduce future transmission.

Reactivation risk and potential for TB exposures

Reactivation of TB infection is a major driver of new active TB cases. Certain high-risk groups are more likely to progress from asymptomatic TB infection to active TB disease, including individuals recently infected with TB and those who are immunocompromised or immunosuppressed.

Active TB disease usually affects the lungs and can spread in the air to close contacts and people at increased risk, making proactive testing and timely intervention critical to prevent transmission and protect communities.

Reactivation risk and potential for TB exposures

Early detection is the first line of defense

Early detection of tuberculosis infection before it progresses to contagious active TB disease is the most effective way to stop the spread of TB. Identifying cases in the latent stage allows for timely preventative treatment and reduces the risk of transmission to others.Early detection is the cornerstone of TB prevention and long-term public health protection.

How modern TB testing helps prevent transmission events

Modern tuberculosis infection testing increasingly relies on blood-based diagnostics, which offer greater accuracy and convenience than the traditional tuberculin skin test. TB blood tests reduce false positive tests resulting from BCG vaccination and environmental mycobacterial strains, only require a single blood draw and provide objective results. By enabling early detection and treatment of TB infection, TB blood tests play an essential role in preventing progression and stopping small clusters from becoming widespread exposure events.

quantiferon role in exposure responses

The role of QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus in exposure responses

QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus can play a vital role in contact investigation by providing fast, accurate and reliable detection of TB infection. QuantiFERON supports rapid contact tracing during exposure investigation and containment efforts.

Contact investigations with QuantiFERON

References

  1. Bloom, BR. Tuberculosis: pathogenesis, protection, and control. ASM Press; 1994.
  2. ECDC. Tuberculosis surveillance and monitoring in Europe 2025–2023 data. https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/tuberculosis-surveillance-and-monitoring-europe-2025-2023-data