California Faces Record TB Outbreaks as Rates Surpass U.S. Average

California posted a record 2,150+ TB cases in 2025 with a rate of 5.4 per 100,000—nearly double the national rate. A CDC/MMWR review found about 50 large TB outbreaks from 2017–2023, many linked to family/social networks or congregate settings and associated with factors like housing insecurity and substance use. The Bay Area saw outbreak testing at Archbishop Riordan High School, and experts say preventing outbreaks will require stronger genomic surveillance, better TB programs, and addressing homelessness and related social determinants of health.