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Wyandotte County health director warns of rising TB, urges higher MMR coverage; World Cup preparedness underway
Summary
Interim Public Health Director Terry Garrison reported a rise in active tuberculosis cases (13 active, 16 latent as of April 1), kindergarten MMR coverage at 83% (target 95%), eight flu deaths this season, and ongoing FIFA World Cup preparedness with state and regional partners; the Board of Health took the item as information.
Terry Garrison, interim director of the Wyandotte County Public Health Department, told the Board of Health on April 2 that infectious-disease indicators and health-service measures warrant continued attention.
Garrison said there are no known measles cases in Wyandotte County but noted recent cases in neighboring Kansas City, Missouri, and warned that 2025 had the highest U.S. measles counts in decades with 2026 trending toward similar levels. "Vaccinations are the most important way to prevent the spread of the measles," Garrison said, and she reported Wyandotte County kindergarten MMR coverage for the 2024-25 school year at 83% compared with the 95% level generally needed for community (herd) immunity.
On tuberculosis, Garrison said active TB cases rose to 13 and latent cases to 16 as of April 1; while the increase had not met the department's outbreak threshold, she described the counts as "higher than usual." She also reported that RSV began later this season and may extend into spring, COVID and flu rose earlier in the winter and have since declined, and the county recorded eight flu deaths in the current season.
Garrison described regional planning and coordination for the upcoming FIFA World Cup events, saying the department meets biweekly internally, monthly with the state, and is coordinating with the Mid-America Regional Council on communications and planning for potential outbreaks or other public-health incidents.
Commissioners asked questions about trafficking preparations for FIFA, how to leverage the local medical center to improve county health outcomes, and the state-level bill SB 448 (expedited partner therapy). Garrison said human-trafficking concerns were a planning priority and multiple local agencies have received trainings; she also said limited primary-care access (long waits) reduces preventive care uptake and that expedited partner therapy would allow providers to give medication to partners of STI patients but has not yet passed the House this session.
The presentation was taken as information; no action was required.
