Nunavik health board says tuberculosis present in 8 communities
81 cases of TB reported to board in 2023
Eight Nunavik communities have active cases of tuberculosis, an increase from the six communities that reported cases in July, the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services said on Monday. (File photo by Cedric Gallant)
Tuberculosis is on the rise in Nunavik with eight communities reporting cases, the regional health board said on Monday.
TB is present in eight of Nunavik’s 14 communities, four of which are experiencing active outbreaks, the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services spokesperson Kathleen Poulin said in an email to Nunatsiaq News.
In 2023, 81 cases of TB were reported to the health board.
That’s up from July, when the board reported 58 active cases in six communities, five of which were experiencing outbreaks.
The board would not say which communities have outbreaks due to people experiencing stigmatization related to the disease.
The increased number of cases is due, in part, to the increase in community screening clinics that have been ongoing since the summer.
“The more screenings there are, the more cases are found,” Poulin said.
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, when it was not possible to carry out planned screening activities, led to a decrease in the number of cases in 2020-21.
When screenings resumed in 2022, the number of cases also went up.
“All communities are always considered at risk. Attending a screening when there is one in one’s community is the way to go to protect yourself and the community,” Poulin said.
TB is a bacterial infection with symptoms such as a lingering cough, fever or nights sweats, chest pains when breathing, coughing up blood, malaise or a loss of appetite.
The disease is treatable with medication and the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine — often known by its abbreviation, BCG vaccine — helps protect infants against the severe consequences of TB.
In communities where TB is circulating more widely, Nunavik’s health board is conducting more intensive targeted screening among certain groups and conducting extensive community-wide screening campaigns.
Poulin urged people in Nunavik to get screened for TB when clinics are set up in their community.
“When tuberculosis is identified and treated early, it has little impact on the body and reduces the risk of spreading to loved ones. Come to the screenings to get tested,” she said.
They should ban picking cig butts for now
People are the product of their own actions. You cant ban breathing
Mostly I have no problem with not naming the communities, I wonder , as most would wonder: is my community one of the sites? But, to not name the communities has to be done, I’m supposing , it has some protective benefits to help the suppressed and bullied. Nunavik should be ashamed to even be mentioned that such bullying issue exist to people from people. Adults too, not just kids.
One on the most important reasons Nunavik keeps having breakouts of TB is the stigma attached and shaming living high within the people. I grew up with TB, it was common when I was a kid, but I’m proud to say the people around me had no stigma about it, and it’s why we don’t have any TB today where I grew up. Nunavik has a big problem with people shaming others. And poor hygiene is also at the Center of these out breaks. The regional health board should also do more to tell people the truth about poor hygiene. Stop allowing theses spokes people to give out only half the information needed. They leave out much more than the name of the community,Mr hey leave out big part of the truth. Your turn.
I believe that the names of the affected communities should be written. To stop the spreading and public safety.
Interesting too. The announcement that there’s danger to health somewhere near by, but we will not tell you where said the health authorities. You will not do well with that information , you will use it against others and consequently yourself as well, and you will act like immature, so you will have to take your chances , as to not go where that dangerous TB could get you, or guess to be safe.
It’s about hygiene. Eating together, sharing everything from the pot and biting off pieces that others have bitten. Wiping the mouth and hands with same cloth, passed around the group in the feast. Sipping each others beer, tobacco smokers passing the butt, and joints for the weeds. All coughing together in close quarters. Big part of the stuff of TB spread in beautiful Nunavik.
TB seems to be NRBHSS’s only concern and file. Why can’t they publicize too much alcohol abuse in pregnant women? Very serious concern in Nunaviik and what about STD, that used to be talked about decades ago? Does it not exist anymore?
What about Ullivik issues? The rules and policies they should do reminders from time to time.
Maybe we wouldn’t even be told if we had TB ourselves 🙄