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Health News For South West

Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Perth District Health Unit
Health Unit Marks World Tuberculosis Day on March 24

World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is on March 24 every year. The day marks the discovery of the TB bacteria by Dr. Robert Koch in 1882. The theme this year is, “Reach, treat, cure everyone.” It brings attention to the fact that globally, an estimated 9 million people become ill with TB and 1.5 million people die from the disease every year. TB is preventable and curable; however many people go undiagnosed, untreated, or are not cured.

While TB is more of a concern in low- and middle-income countries, the disease still exists in Canada. Each year there are about 1600 new TB cases in Canada, many of which are Aboriginal people and new immigrants. Earlier this month, an individual was diagnosed with drug-resistant TB in London, Ontario. The incidence of active TB disease in Perth County is low, but cases do occur. Every year, residents are also diagnosed with latent TB infection and receive treatment; therefore it is important to know the symptoms and how to minimize risk. Latent TB infection is tuberculosis that is not yet capable of spreading from person to person and has not yet made the infected person sick.

Everyone can play a role in stopping TB

If you have been in contact with someone who has TB, or if you have had a cough that has lasted longer than three weeks with fever, night sweats and weight loss, you may need a TB skin test or chest x-ray. TB skin tests are available through the Perth District Health Unit and some family doctors. Persons planning to reside temporarily in a country where TB is endemic, or to volunteer in a setting with increased TB risk, should have a skin test prior to departure and upon return to Perth County. “There is a known cure and proven prevention for TB,” says CarolAnn McMann, Public Health Nurse. “Because TB continues to be so prevalent in the world, we cannot let down our guard in Perth County. TB can spread easily through the air when someone with active pulmonary TB coughs, sneezes, or speaks, so we need to be vigilant.” Anyone requiring treatment for TB can receive their medications free of charge from the Health Unit.

For more information:

Call Health Line at 519-271-7600 ext 267 or toll-free at 1-877-271-7348
Visit www.pdhu.on.ca
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Media Contact:

Rebecca Hill
Communications Manager
519-271-7600 ext 279
rhill@pdhu.on.ca