Tuberculosis outbreak spreading in Edmonton's inner city; 12 cases confirmed

A tuberculosis outbreak in Edmonton's inner city has spread to 12 confirmed cases to date, Alberta health officials said Sunday. Two additional people have contracted the disease this year as the outbreak expands.

The outbreak was declared on a Thursday afternoon by Primary Care Alberta's (PCA's) tuberculosis program and the Edmonton Zone Medical Officers of Health. Initial cases were confirmed in October, when two people in the inner city tested positive for the same strain of TB. Since then, the outbreak has continued to grow.

Tuberculosis spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. Symptoms can include a persistent cough, chest pain, fever, and fatigue. The disease is treatable with a course of antibiotics, though treatment typically requires several months of medication.

The source did not provide information about the geographic boundaries of the affected inner-city area, demographic characteristics of those affected, or how this year's case count compares to previous years. Health officials have not publicly disclosed additional prevention measures or screening efforts underway.