Tuberculosis cases continue to rise steadily in two Nunavut communities experiencing outbreaks.

The incidence of tuberculosis cases is steadily increasing in two Nunavut communities affected by outbreaks of the disease.

The Nunavut Department of Health declared outbreaks in Pond Inlet in March and in Naujaat in May. These communities have now joined Pangnirtung on the list of Nunavut regions grappling with tuberculosis outbreaks.

In Pond Inlet, a northern Baffin community with approximately 1,550 residents, the territorial health department reported that ten people have been diagnosed with active tuberculosis since the outbreak began in March. Furthermore, ninety-eight individuals have been diagnosed with latent TB. These figures represent an increase from five active cases and 22 latent cases reported in March.

In Naujaat, a community of approximately 1,000 residents, 14 individuals have been diagnosed with active TB since January, along with 63 cases of latent TB. These numbers have risen from six active and ten latent cases reported at the time the outbreak was declared.

It’s important to note that active tuberculosis is contagious, while latent tuberculosis is not, although it requires treatment to prevent it from becoming active.

The health department is urging individuals with symptoms such as a persistent cough, fatigue, loss of appetite, fever, or night sweats to seek immediate screening at their local health center.

Tuberculosis has plagued Nunavut for decades, and there were high expectations when the federal government pledged in 2018 to eradicate TB in Inuit communities by 2030. However, two years later, TB rates showed minimal improvement, and funding for the project had run dry.

The COVID-19 pandemic added to the delays in the efforts to eliminate this disease. In November, the Nunavut government entered into an agreement with Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. to exchange information on tuberculosis statistics and promptly notify Nunavut Tunngavik of any outbreaks.