AHS following up on cluster of TB in homeless population

FORT McMURRAY – Alberta Health Services (AHS) is completing followup on a cluster of infectious pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) disease, confirmed in the homeless population in
Fort McMurray.

Although these cases do not present a risk to general public, AHS’ efforts underscore the collaborative and proactive means through which TB cases are always managed in Alberta, including when a cluster of illness appears.

“This particular cluster involves five cases of TB in individuals who have frequented homeless shelters in Fort McMurray over the past five months,” says Dr. Mayank Singal, Medical Officer of Health – North Zone (AHS). “Because this vulnerable population is often at higher risk of illness due to compromised immune systems, our screening efforts in this population have been sustained and will continue through to December 2016.”

TB infection is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which can be spread to others through the air when a person with TB disease in the lungs coughs, sneezes or talks.

TB infection and TB disease are not the same thing.

TB infection occurs when TB germs are inhaled into the lungs. In most cases, the TB germs inhaled into the lungs remain inactive and do not cause symptoms of illness. However, if the inhaled germs do become active, symptoms of the illness appear. This is called TB disease.

Symptoms of TB disease in the lungs may include a cough with phlegm and blood lasting more than three weeks; loss of appetite and weight; tiredness; night sweats, and fever.

People who have been in contact with a case of TB disease cannot spread the disease to others unless they subsequently develop tuberculosis disease in their lungs. The risk of developing TB disease is generally low, even if exposed.

“Though the risk of TB disease is very low, the key to prevention is early diagnosis of infection, followed promptly by preventative treatment,” says Dr. Singal. “This is why we undertake screening of all close contacts of a confirmed case of TB disease, as it allows us to identify early TB infection, and treat it so that it does not develop into disease.”

This year to date, 14 cases of infectious pulmonary tuberculosis disease have been confirmed in Alberta; four of these cases in the North Zone of AHS. Last year, 66 cases were confirmed in Alberta, six of which were in the North Zone. AHS completes close contact screening and routine followup in response to all confirmed cases of infectious pulmonary TB disease in Alberta.

Albertans can visit https://myhealth.alberta.ca/health/pages/conditions.aspx?Hwid=hw207301 for more information on TB.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

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