The Interior Health Authority says an outbreak of tuberculosis among Kelowna's homeless population continues with three new cases in 2011.
The outbreak, first declared in January 2009, has infected 31 people since 2008. While the majority of cases have been in Kelowna, others have sprung up elsewhere in the Central Okanagan.
Though the disease is airborne, there is a relatively low risk to the general population, Medical Health Officer Rob Parker said in a release.
"Transmission requires significant close exposure, usually for a prolonged period of time to a person with active TB who displays symptoms such as coughing," he said.
Tuberculosis is a treatable condition when identified early. Those most at-risk for contracting the disease include:
- People with close contact to some with active tuberculosis
- People who travel, or were born in places where untreated tuberculosis is common (including Latin America, Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe)
- Caregivers of a patient with active tuberculosis
- People who live or work in crowded places (including prisons, nursing homes and homeless shelters)
- People with poor access to healthcare, such as the homeless or migrant workers
- People dealing with drug or alcohol addiction
- People with HIV or another illness that weakens their immune system
More information is available at the HealthLinkBC and Interior Health websites.
