The Saskatchewan Health Authority is notifying northerners of an isolated tuberculosis outbreak in Sandy Bay.
Since the summer of 2023, the SHA has reported 18 cases of TB in that community.
Although the word “outbreak” may sound alarming to some people, Dr. David Poon with the SHA in La Ronge stated that the risk of contracting the TB in Sandy Bay is extremely low as the individuals with the illness have been isolated.
“To be very clear, there is no current risk to the public or the community of Sandy Bay because these cases are isolated to a particular area in the north and they are not interacting with the people of Sandy Bay,” stated Dr. Poon. “Cases are amongst a group of people who are not interacting with the community, not going to school, and not in public, so the risk is so minimal and so small to the wider community.”
The bacteria that cause TB are spread through tiny droplets released into the air when someone with active TB in their lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, sings, or speaks, and another person who is nearby breathes the infected droplets into their lungs. TB cannot be spread by touching surfaces, shaking hands, or sharing objects like other illnesses.
Some of the symptoms of active TB include bad coughs for weeks at a time, chills, a fever for more than a week, and chest pain or shortness of breath.
“Think of it as the worst cough of your life, and it’s not just a cough; it’s a cough that doesn’t go away for weeks; it’s a cough that results in weight loss, fever, and great weakness,” explained Dr. Poon.
There are also cases of latent TB, which means the TB bacteria have infected a person but aren’t growing. A person with latent TB is well, doesn’t have any symptoms, and doesn’t spread TB bacteria to others.
Although the SHA stated that northerners shouldn’t be worried about the TB outbreak in Sandy Bay or contracting TB, it is warning people of respiratory diseases that have been popping up in the north. The SHA has seen cases of COVID-19 and the flu this year and reminds northerners to stay up to date with their vaccinations.
For more information on TB or respiratory diseases, contact your nearest health clinic or visit the SHA’s website which can be found below.