TB screening clinic announced for outbreak in Arviat

Nunavut’s Department of Health will conduct a community-wide tuberculosis screening clinic in Arviat starting this week and running until June, as the outbreak declared in February continues in the Kivalliq region hamlet of 2,800. During this phase of testing, Arviat residents between the ages of 13 and 40 will be asked to get tested at the clinic which is being held at the hamlet office. “Everyone will get the opportunity to know their tuberculosis status as the focused screening progresses,” a department public service announcement issued Tuesday said.

Since January, there have been fewer than five confirmed cases of active tuberculosis and 12 residents have been diagnosed with the latent form of the disease. People with latent TB do not show symptoms and are not infectious, though it can develop into the active form which is transmissible and symptomatic. Symptoms include a cough that lasts longer than three weeks, fatigue, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, and a fever or night sweats.



Both the latent and active forms of the disease are treatable. Active tuberculosis can lead to severe respiratory problems or death if untreated. Since the outbreak was declared Feb.

11, the department has focused on phased screening with first testing of immediate contacts of those infected with a following phase screening past active and latent cases of the disease. Residents who think they have been exposed to tuberculosis or have symptoms should visit the health centre for screening..