Two people in Kansas have died as a result of tuberculosis infection amid an outbreak of the bacterial infection in the state's Kansas City, the state's health department said Tuesday. 

The department also said roughly 79 others are being treated for latent tuberculosis infections and that the two death occurred late last year.

Latent cases are detected in the body but have not spread to others, making them sick. However, the infection is expected to continue spreading. 

“This outbreak is still ongoing, which means that there could be more cases,” Kansas Department of Health and Environment spokesperson Jill Bronaugh said in and email to CNN.

She said the department is working with the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

"While there is a very low risk of infection to the general public in these communities, KDHE is working to ensure that patients are receiving appropriate treatment, which will limit the ability to spread this disease and prevent additional cases from occurring," Bronaugh also said.