May 26, 2006

• Public health officials continue to investigate a cluster of tuberculosis (TB) cases in the province.

• At this time, the risk to the public remains low. As of today, this TB cluster remains at 26 cases of active tuberculosis. These cases are being treated.

• To date, all cases associated with this cluster have affected people with close, household-like contact with an infectious source case. An investigation of close contacts of this source case and subsequent cases continues.

• Health officials continue to work together to identify contacts of infected individuals and monitor the number, type, location and pattern of tuberculosis cases. Results are still preliminary and will take up to several weeks for completion.

• Manitoba Health continues to work with Health Canada’s First Nations Inuit Health Branch and the Four Arrows Health Authority to manage the investigation.

• On May 12, Manitoba Health sent out a reminder letter to physicians about tuberculosis.

• Tuberculosis is a preventable and treatable infection caused by bacteria (germs). It usually affects the lungs but can also affect other areas of the body. TB disease of the lungs can be contagious.

• When people have active TB, they may have symptoms such as persistent coughing, loss of appetite, weight loss, night sweats and fever. People with these symptoms should see a doctor to determine the presence of TB or other causes of their symptoms.

• A person with infectious TB can spread the disease to others through activities such as coughing or sneezing.  TB usually spreads only through close, frequent and prolonged contact with someone who has infectious TB. At this time, the risk to the public remains low.

• Anyone with health concerns or questions about tuberculosis can call Health Links–Info Santé at 788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257. For more information about tuberculosis, visit the Manitoba Health website at: 

        http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/fs/tuberculosis.pdf.

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