Tuberculosis outbreak declared in two northern Sask. communities, with hundreds of close contacts identified
The Athabasca Health Authority (AHA) declared a tuberculosis outbreak in two northern Saskatchewan communities on Oct. 8.
As of that date, AHA had recorded 20 people receiving treatment in both Black Lake and Fond Du Lac, according to a memo from Taiwo Olubanwo, executive director of primary health care.
Some of those were active cases, while others were latent, meaning they did not show symptoms, or were receiving preventative treatment.
As of Tuesday, nine people were in treatment in Fond du Lac with 70 close contacts identified, Olubanwo told CTV News.
In Black Lake, six people were in treatment. The AHA has identified 157 close contacts there, with 90.5 per cent considered a high risk for transmission.
Patients range in age from five weeks to 63 years old. Overcrowded households are contributing to the spread of the disease, Olubanwo said.
Tuberculosis, caused by a bacteria, and COVID-19, caused by a virus, have similar symptoms, though COVID-19 is deadlier, he said.
The treatment regimen for tuberculosis is more advanced and has been used for several years, while doctors don’t have advanced pharmaceutical treatments for COVID-19.
In response to the tuberculosis outbreak, the AHA has doubled the number of outreach workers and created a hotline people can call for additional supports.
“We want to empower and provide more education and more supports so that they will be part of their treatment plan and intervention planning. We don’t want to do it independently without assessing their needs,” Olubanwo said.
In the memo, Olubanwo noted how the COVID-19 pandemic may hinder efforts to address the tuberculosis outbreak.
Olubanwo’s recommendations include that tuberculosis patients should take extra caution to avoid being infected with COVID-19.
“Note that close monitoring with necessary supports will help prevent a possible poorer treatment outcomes which may be characterized with TB patients who may test positive for COVID-19.”
The COVID-19 outbreaks in the Far North Central region were declared over on Oct. 4.
Six active COVID-19 cases are active within the AHA: five in Fond du Lac and one in Black Lake.
Eight people in the health region have died in relation to COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.
With files from Lisa Risom
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Premiers not being truthful about carbon tax, Trudeau says while sparks fly in Ottawa
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Conservative premiers across the country are 'not telling the truth' when it comes to the carbon tax. Trudeau's comments came as fresh sparks were flying in Ottawa at a recalled House of Commons committee.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Far North police 'dispatch' polar bear stalking schoolyard
Police and local hunters in an Ontario Far North First Nation community have “dispatched” a polar that was showing abnormal behaviour and treating the area as a hunting ground.
Cargo ship had engine maintenance in port before Baltimore bridge collapse, officials say
The cargo ship that lost power and crashed into a bridge in Baltimore underwent 'routine engine maintenance' in port beforehand, the U.S. Coast Guard said Wednesday.
'Ninja,' Twitch's biggest streamer, is diagnosed with skin cancer
American gamer and Twitch superstar, Tyler 'Ninja' Blevins, revealed he was diagnosed with melanoma, a form of skin cancer.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.
Here's what Trudeau says the upcoming federal budget will offer renters
The federal government will create a new 'Canadian Renters' Bill of Rights,' which would require landlords to disclose their properties' rental price history to prospective tenants.
Families shocked after Niagara Falls hotel cancels bookings made year in advance of solar eclipse
After having the foresight to book their Niagara Falls hotel rooms more than a year in advance, several families planning to take in the solar eclipse next month were shocked to find out their reservations had been cancelled.