TB death in Quebec’s far north spurs public health awareness campaign – CBC

Coroner says stigma of tuberculosis may have prevented Jimmy Baron, 22, from seeking treatment

Feb 21, 2018

Public health officials in the far north of Quebec are planning to launch a tuberculosis awareness campaign, following the death of a 22-year-old Inuk man last June from the infectious disease that has all but disappeared from southern Canada.

Jimmy Baron lived in Kangiqsualujjuaq, Que., the easternmost village in Quebec’s Inuit territory of Nunavik, with a population of just under 1,000.

Coroner Jean Brochu said the young man died on June 3, 2017, after being in close contact with another person infected with TB, which affects the lungs and other organs.

In his report on Baron’s death, Brochu said Baron didn’t follow the recommendations of the local health centre, “and did not show up for an appointment for a chest x-ray.”

Brochu said Baron may have ignored some of the symptoms of TB, which include coughing, nighttime sweats and fatigue, because of his smoking and alcohol addiction.

Read More: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/tuberculosis-death-quebec-nunavik-1.4543922