Provincial health authorities in Edmonton have officially declared an outbreak of tuberculosis in the city center following lab tests that confirmed two residents were infected with the same strain of the disease. Primary Care Alberta (PCA) released a statement on Thursday announcing the outbreak, revealing that the decision was made last month upon receiving the lab results for the two affected individuals.
The test results indicated recent local transmission of the disease, highlighting the potential for community spread. Tuberculosis primarily affects the lungs but can also impact other parts of the body, spreading through respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing, and spitting. Fortunately, the disease is treatable with antibiotics.
PCA, a newly established provincial agency overseeing primary health services, has identified 12 tuberculosis cases this year linked to central Edmonton and individuals experiencing homelessness. Among these cases, three individuals share the same strain of the disease and are considered part of the outbreak.
Living in communal settings such as homeless shelters increases the risk of tuberculosis transmission. While the outbreak is currently not deemed a threat to the general public, PCA is conducting contact tracing and will reach out to potentially exposed individuals. The agency, along with medical officers of health from Alberta’s Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services, are actively engaging with inner-city organizations to provide information, support, and screening for close contacts.