Queen’s U: Available Expert – Teenager dies after misdiagnosis of tuberculosis
Friday, March 24, 2017
Queen’s University tuberculosis expert Wendy Wobeser is available to comment on the death of 15-year-old Ileen Kooneeliusie, who died in January from tuberculosis. Despite a visit to the local health centre in Nunavut in December, she was only diagnosed with TB hours before her death.
Friday, March 24 is World TB Day and Dr. Wobeser says death like these in remote communities like Nunavut are needless, preventable and tragic.
“It’s really unforgivable that people are dying in remote communities from tuberculosis,” says Dr. Wobeser, chair of the Global Indigenous Stop TB Initative. “It’s a complex problem and the reasons this keeps happening includes everything from a lack of education and general apathy about the issue. Despite the high rates of tuberculosis in the poorest communities and countries, funding continues to be slashed.”
To arrange an interview, please contact communications officer Chris Armes (613-533-6000 ext. 77513 or [email protected]) at Queen’s University News and Media Services Department in Kingston, Ont., Canada.
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