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Tuberculosis outbreak declared in two northern Sask. communities, with hundreds of close contacts identified

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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

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