Yukon fights TB spread with control team
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 | 5:17 PM CT
Source: CBC News
Health officials in the Yukon are working to stop the spread of tuberculosis in the territory, which has one of the highest infection rates in Canada.
Chief medical officer Dr. Brendan Hanley said the Yukon currently has 26 active cases of TB in three undisclosed rural communities.
Two nurses in a special TB control unit are travelling to affected communities and working with local nurses to treat those who have the disease.
But of greater concern, Hanley said, is about 30 other people who are at high risk of contracting the contagious airborne disease, or carry the germ that causes TB, and potentially develop the full-blown illness.
“These are the people that need extra follow-up, extra support,” Hanley told CBC News in an interview that aired Tuesday.
“This is really where we’re putting our money at the moment, is on following these 30 or so people who are high risk contacts for TB, high risk for developing active TB, who face addictions issues, and who really need to be closely followed.”
Hanley said many of the people health officials want to help are chronic alcohol users who may not have permanent homes and are in poor health.
Skyrocketing rates
Hanley said TB rates in the Yukon have skyrocketed in the last few years, with infection rates “well above the national rates by manifold.”
Read more: CBC News