Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Grey Bruce Health Unit
World TB Day - Reach, Treat and Cure Everyone
March 24 marks World Tuberculosis Day. Every year there are approximately 9 million new cases of Tuberculosis (TB) diagnosed around the world and 1.5 million deaths as a result of this disease. Another 3 million people do not get diagnosed or properly treated causing further spread of the disease and unnecessary deaths. TB is both preventable and curable. The Stop TB partnership is an international group working to eliminate the burden of TB by reducing the inequitable social and economic toll of TB. Their goal to reach, treat and cure everyone.
Each year in Ontario, there is about 600 new cases of TB, and Grey Bruce has about one new case of active TB every 1-2 years. TB usually affects the lungs but can occur throughout the body. It is spread through the air when a person with infectious TB coughs or sneezes. Children and people with impaired immune systems, such as those with HIV, diabetes, or those on chemotherapy are at greatest risk.
For further information, call Public Health at 519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 or visit our website at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.
Media Contact:
Colleen Ouwendyk
Public Health Nurse
Grey Bruce Health Unit
519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext 1403
c.ouwendyk@publichealthgreybruce.on.ca
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