Home / Health / Hepatitis A Outbreak: Winnipeg Doctor Fears Band-Aid Solutions
Hepatitis A Outbreak: Winnipeg Doctor Fears Band-Aid Solutions
14 May
Summary
- Over 600 hepatitis A cases reported since outbreak began last year.
- Infectious liver disease now commonplace in Winnipeg hospitals.
- Lack of sanitation and clean water contribute to disease spread.
A Winnipeg physician is voicing alarm over the ongoing hepatitis A outbreak, stating that current government responses appear insufficient. Dr. Kiran Jhinger notes that hepatitis A cases, once rare, are now a daily occurrence at Health Sciences Centre. Since the outbreak's declaration last year, Manitoba has recorded 601 cases, resulting in 133 hospitalizations and three deaths.
Dr. Jhinger attributes the spread to a fundamental lack of basic necessities, including sanitation and access to clean drinking water, particularly impacting homeless individuals and drug users. Remote First Nations communities, like those in Island Lake, are severely affected, with leaders emphasizing the urgent need for critical infrastructure improvements. These communities lack running water and adequate sewage management, making it difficult to maintain healthy living conditions.
The Manitoba government acknowledges the difficulty in controlling the disease, as individuals can be contagious before symptoms appear. While vaccination clinics and some infrastructure support have been provided to affected First Nations, Indigenous leaders argue that proactive measures to address the root causes of the outbreak have been minimal. The province has expanded vaccine eligibility to at-risk groups and communities.
