Montreal, March 14, 2024 – The recent surge in tuberculosis (TB) cases in Montreal has ignited further concerns about the impact of immigration on public health, raising fears that Canadians’ lives are at risk. With experts warning of a potential resurgence of the disease in the city, attention is turning to the implications of mass migration on healthcare and community well-being.
According to reports from the Direction régionale de santé publique de Montréal (DRSPM), a total of 21 cases were reported in January alone, marking a significant increase compared to the past five years. Microbiologist-infectiologist Karl Weiss from the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal sounded the alarm, attributing the rise in TB cases to immigration patterns. “I believe we are witnessing a resurgence of tuberculosis in Montreal; we see several new cases every week,” Weiss cautioned, highlighting that many of the patients diagnosed with TB at his hospital are either isolated or have recently immigrated to Canada, requiring prolonged hospitalization to prevent community transmission.
The correlation between immigration and the resurgence of TB is evident, with approximately 90% of TB cases in Montreal affecting individuals born abroad, according to Geneviève Paradis, spokesperson for the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux (CIUSSS) du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal. The influx of immigrants, coupled with challenges in healthcare access and disease surveillance, has exacerbated the spread of TB in the city, posing a threat to public health and safety.
As Montreal grapples with the challenges posed by TB, questions arise about the adequacy of measures to address immigration-related health risks and protect Canadians from infectious diseases.
“It’s a contagious disease,” stated journalist Pierre-Olivier Zappa for Le Journal de Québec news. “In 2023, it’s the second most infectious cause of death. It’s a disease that attacks the lungs, and it spreads through the airways via aerosols. And when you contract it, the symptoms are as follows: a very intense cough, sometimes there’s even blood, a sudden and intense weight loss, a feeling of uneasiness, and a lot of fever, and it becomes very difficult to close your eyes and to sleep at night. 1.3 million, that’s the number of people who died in 2022, according to the WHO.”
Despite reassurances from health authorities about the low community transmission of TB in Montreal, the recent surge in cases highlights the imperative for comprehensive strategies to tackle the underlying factors driving the resurgence. Moreover, public trust in Canada’s medical community has been shaken following their contentious management of COVID-19. From implementing targeted screening programs to considering border control measures, collaborative endeavors are crucial to mitigate the risks associated with TB and safeguard the health of all Canadian citizens.
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Author: Amy Mek
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