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Share41st case of TB in Alberni Valley
By Wawmeesh G. Hamilton - Alberni Valley News
Published: October 10, 2008 4:00 PM
Updated: October 11, 2008 11:39 AM
Health authorities have identified the 41st case of tuberculosis (TB) in the Alberni Valley. Despite the number, the disease is slowly abating, the Island's medical health officer said.
The individual was diagnosed positive for TB requiring treatment this week, said Dr. Lorna Medd, the Vancouver Island Health Authority chief medical health officer.
The individual is in care and will be undergoing treatment for the next several weeks, Medd said.
Contact tracing was started immediately, she added.
"We identified the individual through regular post-treatment follow-up," Medd said.
The individual is a Valley resident, but Medd would not confirm the age or gender of the individual.
Medd also confirmed that Nuu-chah-nulth TB officials have been notified.
The latest case brings the number of people diagnosed with TB to 41.
Of those diagnosed, 33 are from the Alberni Valley and eight are from outside the region.
Of them, six remain on active treatment, while the others have completed treatment, Medd said.
The number does not signal a new spate of the disease, but a receding of it instead, she said.
There were 13 cases diagnosed in 2006 and 18 in 2007. Nine have been identified this year, she said.
reporter@albernivalleynews.com
