Maine Tuberculosis Cases Identified: CDC Confirms No Outbreak Amid Rising U.S. Trends

Maine has reported three active cases of tuberculosis (TB) in the Greater Portland area, stirring concerns despite assurances from health officials that there is no outbreak. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the cases this week, highlighting that each was contracted from unrelated sources, negating the possibility of direct transmission among patients. Efforts are underway to identify and screen individuals who may have come into contact with the affected persons, in order to curb any potential spread.

Lindsay Hammes, spokesperson for the Maine CDC, reassured the public by stating that genetic analysis of the cases suggests no direct links between these infections. Consequently, there are ongoing investigations to trace possible points of contact and to recommend screening for high-risk individuals. Contrary to local rumors, agency officials have confirmed that there is no outbreak at the Portland shelter for asylum seekers. Hammes emphasized that their standard containment protocol includes notifying hospitals about potential screening and dispatching the Public Health Nursing team to conduct TB screening events in Portland.

Across the United States, tuberculosis remains a steady concern with an overall uptick reported since 2021. The deadly nature of the disease is underscored by World Health Organization statistics, revealing TB as the top infectious killer globally, claiming approximately 1.25 million lives annually, primarily in developing nations. The persistence of symptoms such as prolonged coughing, chest pain, and fever highlight the disease’s capacity to devastate lung and organ tissues, which can ultimately lead to severe respiratory failure and organ damage.

Despite these alarming statistics, tuberculosis is preventable and treatable. Treatment typically involves a multi-month regimen of antibiotics, and in regions where the disease is not common, as in the U.S., vaccination is not routinely administered. Tuberculosis, unlike transmissible infections such as COVID-19 or the flu, spreads through airborne particles when an affected person coughs, speaks, or sings, but it is less contagious and requires prolonged and close exposure to spread.

Maine has experienced a gradual rise in TB cases, reaching 28 reported cases by the end of July 2025, with health officials keeping a vigilant eye on transmission patterns and reinforcing public safety protocols. However, Dr. Dora Anne Mills of MaineHealth highlighted that the risk to the general public remains low. She emphasized that TB transmission requires sustained and close contact, making casual transmission relatively unlikely.

Nationally, TB cases have seen a resurgence to levels not observed since 2011, as reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with 10,347 cases documented in 2024. Factors contributing to this increase include heightened international travel and migration, as well as healthcare disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to delays in diagnosis and treatment.

In California, additional TB concerns emerged with the report of a high school student in Riverside County testing positive. Authorities there have initiated notifications to potentially exposed persons and are conducting TB screenings on campus to manage the situation.

Despite the challenges, health officials across the board continue to advocate for heightened awareness and proactive measures to manage and mitigate tuberculosis's impact. Systems for contact tracing, medical screening, and public education are crucial components of the ongoing public health response to both contain current cases and prevent new infections in affected communities.