Football helmets of the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, opponents in Superbowl LIX, on a gridiron

Officials in New Orleans are on high alert after a tuberculosis outbreak in Kansas. With tens of thousands of Kansas City Chiefs fans headed to the New Orleans Caesars Superdome for Sundays' Super Bowl, health officials are encouraging proper hygiene practices in hopes to prevent a super spreader event.

Although general infection prevention measures are encouraged, reports indicate that tuberculosis spreads more slowly when compared to other respiratory illnesses. FOX4 sat down with University of Kansas Hospital Infection Control and Prevention Medical Director Dr. Dana Hawkinson to find out if the game and celebrations pose a risk.

“Things like influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and those common cough and cold viruses they are still at fairly high levels in the United States. You are at significantly more at risk of getting one of those infections than you are tuberculosis,” Hawkinson said.

Although the risk of getting tuberculosis is low, USAToday reports that it most often spreads through droplets people release when they cough, sneeze or talk. They are also more likely to spread in congregate settings and colder, drier temperatures.

Facility officials at the Superdome have preventative measures in place with stocked soap and sanitizers. Visitors are encouraged to cover their coughs and wash/sanitize their hands regularly to prevent infection.