Saskatchewan Shelter Sparks TB Outbreak

A recent investigation at a Prince Albert homeless shelter identified 11 tuberculosis cases over a 12-month span, concluding in February. Saskatchewan's chief medical health officer noted a low risk to the broader public, with testing and tracing focusing on vulnerable shelter populations. Tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs, spreads through airborne bacteria and disproportionately impacts Indigenous individuals and new Canadians.

While TB is treatable with a six-month course of antibiotics, with infectiousness ceasing after two weeks, the issue persists. Prince Albert and surrounding areas reported 22 TB cases between January 2025 and February 2026. Across 11 northern communities, about 64 individuals are currently undergoing treatment for active or latent TB infections.

Experts highlight that housing conditions are a critical factor in TB transmission, particularly in northern Saskatchewan. Addressing overcrowding in shared living spaces is deemed essential for controlling the disease. Despite diagnostic and treatment investments, persistent issues are expected without improvements in housing. The province is developing a refreshed TB strategy to further reduce transmission rates.