Two more cases of tuberculosis (TB) have been confirmed in connection with an ongoing outbreak in Edmonton’s inner city, bringing the total number of cases linked to the outbreak to five.
Health officials are continuing to investigate the outbreak and are working to identify people who may have been exposed. Contact tracing, screening and testing efforts are underway, with health-care teams working alongside community organizations and services in the inner city.
The outbreak involves the same strain of tuberculosis identified in earlier cases, indicating that transmission has occurred within the affected community. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and taking steps to identify additional cases as early as possible.
Officials are particularly focused on people who may have had prolonged or close contact with individuals diagnosed with active TB. Those identified as potentially exposed may be contacted directly and offered appropriate testing and medical follow-up.
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that most commonly affects the lungs. A person with active pulmonary TB can spread the bacteria through the air when coughing, speaking or sneezing. However, TB generally requires prolonged or repeated exposure to spread, and not everyone who comes into contact with the bacteria develops active disease.
Symptoms of active pulmonary TB can include a persistent cough, fever, night sweats, fatigue, loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss. Some people may have few or no symptoms in the early stages, making screening and early detection important during an outbreak.
Health authorities say TB is preventable and curable when it is identified and treated appropriately. People diagnosed with active TB are provided with treatment, while those who have been exposed may receive additional assessment to determine whether they have an active infection or latent TB.
The outbreak is also drawing attention to the challenges of preventing and treating infectious diseases among people experiencing homelessness. Limited access to health care, unstable housing, crowded living environments and barriers to maintaining regular treatment can make outbreak investigations and disease control more difficult.
Health officials will continue monitoring the situation and conducting case-finding activities as they work to prevent further transmission in Edmonton’s inner-city community.