World TB Day 2024 – Controlling TB in Canada
Inter Medico is proud to recognize World TB Day on March 24th, 2024, with our partners from QIAGEN.
While Canada’s rates of Tuberculosis (TB) are relatively low, there were still over 1,800 cases of active TB infection reported in 2021. TB disproportionately impacts Inuit, First Nations, and foreign-born individuals living in Canada. According to 2021 figures, rates of active Tuberculosis infection among Inuit communities are 135.1 per 100,000 individuals, which is over 28x higher than in the general population (4.8 per 100,000). First Nations peoples are impacted by active TB at 16.1 per 100,000, and people born outside of Canada experience a rate of 12.3 per 100,000. Over 75% of active TB cases were reported in individuals born outside of Canada (source: Canada.ca).
Articles
These articles highlight the Tuberculosis-related challenges facing Canada.
Tuberculosis crisis in Canada’s North is a social justice issue (Jan 3rd, 2024)
From McGill University: Focused screening of new residents, key to fight TB in Canada (Dec 13th, 2023)
The state of tuberculosis surveillance in Canada (Aug 2023)
Nunavut asks federal gov’t for help handling tuberculosis outbreaks (May 22nd, 2023)
Naujaat becomes 3rd Nunavut community to face tuberculosis outbreak (May 16th, 2023)
Tuberculosis rising after COVID-19 pandemic redirected services, say Canadian health officials (Apr 27th, 2023)
Accessing Latent TB Testing in Canada
Screening for latent Tuberculosis infection (non-infectious carriers of TB infection) can be an effective tool to prevent future outbreaks of active TB by identifying and treating TB carriers before the disease becomes active and contagious. The QuantiFERON TB Gold Plus test from our partner QIAGEN is the most accurate and convenient test available for Latent TB infection, and it is widely available across Canada. The QuantiFERON test uses an Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) method. It is a simple blood test which does not require a second visit, and provides a reliable, objective result. Below is a list of resources regarding Latent TB testing via the QuantiFERON TB Gold Plus test across Canada:
Alberta:
British Columbia:
List of BCCDC QuantiFERON Testing Sites
BCCDC IGRA Testing Guide for Public Health Practitioners
Manitoba:
Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Latent TB Guidelines
Manitoba Tuberculosis Protocol
New Brunswick:
QuantiFERON is run at Saint John Regional Hospital. Ask your local healthcare provider for availability.
Newfoundland & Labrador:
Public Health Laboratory Guidelines for IGRA testing
Avalon Laboratories – TB Screening for Occupational Health
Northwest Territories/Yukon:
Ask your local healthcare provider for availability.
Nova Scotia:
QuantiFERON is run at QEII Health Sciences Centre and IWK Health. Ask your local healthcare provider for availability.
Nunavut:
Ask your local healthcare provider for availability.
Ontario:
Public Health Ontario review of IGRA usage for TB infection testing
QuantiFERON testing at Sick Kids
Toronto Western Hospital TB Clinic
City of Toronto information on TB infection testing
Inquire about QuantiFERON testing at Alpha Labs
PEI:
Quebec:
QuantiFERON TB Gold Plus is available at most hospitals in Quebec.
QuantiFERON collection details at IUCPQ
Private labs in Quebec offering QuantiFERON testing:
Saskatchewan:
SHA recommendations for clinical microbiology testing (including QuantiFERON – pg 10)
Additional Canadian TB Resources:
Canadian Tuberculosis Standards – 8th Edition (published Mar 2022)