Tuberculosis

What is it ?

Tuberculosis is an infection caused by mycobacteria, which in most cases attack the lungs (pulmonary tuberculosis). In certain rare cases the bacteria may lodge in other parts of the body. Wherever the bacteria take root, tuberculosis must always be considered as a serious disease. This disease finds its primary target in young adults, and it infects twice as many men as women.

Disease transmission

When a person suffering from contagious pulmonary tuberculosis coughs or sneezes, they expel microbes into the air. Anyone nearby who is not immunized may become infected by inhaling these microbes.

Geographic risk zone

Tuberculosis, countries or areas at risk

Data source: World Health Organization

Symptoms description

Moderate fever
Cough
Blood in the respiratory system (often expelled while coughing)
Weight loss of up to 10 or 20 pounds (by which time the disease will have been at work for a few months already)
Night sweats
Pain in the lungs

Health impact

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that usually attacks the lungs. Sometimes the lymph nodes, kidneys, intestines, urinary system, genitals, skin, bones or meninges (brain and spinal cord membrane) may also be infected. Although many people today recover from tuberculosis completely, the mortality rate still remains high.

Risks

According to Health Canada, 1,600 cases of tuberculosis are reported in Canada every year.
Outside Canada, the annual risk of contacting tuberculosis is up to 300 times higher.
In 2006, the WHO reported 5.4 million new cases of infection worldwide, 49% of them in Asia. One million of these victims died of the disease.
Epidemics of tuberculosis appear to be on the rise in Eastern Europe.

Prevention

A preventive vaccine can be administered to children as young as 5 months who will be staying over 12 weeks in countries where the disease is common.

Vaccination may be required for some travellers who are visiting or studying in certain countries (such as France).

Other travellers who will be staying in countries where the disease is widespread are advised to take a tuberculin skin test (TST) before departure and after they return.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that all travellers consult a travel health specialist before they go abroad. Your specialist will be able to advise you about various resources and options available so that you can protect yourself effectively against tuberculosis in countries at risk.

Vaccination : tuberculosis

Yes

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It’s advisable to wear a face mask if you expect to be in contact with carriers of the disease.

Nota Bene

According to Health Canada, the risk of contracting tuberculosis depends on your destination and the length of time you stay there. Other risk factors may depend on the type of contact you have with the local population and the circumstances in which these contacts occur.
Another reminder from Health Canada: If you are working at a healthcare institution or facility in a region where there are large numbers of tuberculosis cases, your own risk of infection will be much higher.