Sask. Tuberculosis infections on the rise

CBC News

First Nations leaders say they fear tuberculosis is making a comeback in Saskatchewan.

They warn the disease, which typically attacks the lungs, will spike in other provinces if governments don't address the underlying causes of the outbreak.

Guy Lonechild, acting chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, said immediate action needs to be taken on underlying problems — such as overcrowding, poor overall health and a lack of disease prevention services — aren't addressed.

Figures for 2005 show that although just three per cent of the province's population lives in Saskatchewan's north, that region is home to 58 per cent of its tuberculosis cases.

As well, the number of infections jumped to 127 cases last year after a decade of gradual decline.

The year before, there had been only 70 cases.

Manitoba, which reported 125 tuberculosis cases in 2005, has also been paying more attention to the disease. In April, the province announced $1.7 million to revamp its tuberculosis program after a number of new cases were found on a northern reserve.

With files from the Canadian Press