📈 Tuberculosis on the Rise in Quebec — Health Officials Raise Alarm

📈 Tuberculosis on the Rise in Quebec — Health Officials Raise Alarm

Quebec is seeing a notable increase in tuberculosis (TB) cases, particularly in Montreal and Nunavik, health authorities say — marking a concerning turnaround after years of relatively stable numbers.

According to public health data, TB cases in Quebec have risen significantly compared with pre-pandemic levels. In 2024, Montreal experienced a 54% jump in TB cases compared with the average over the previous decade, highlighting a sharp upward trend in the city’s incidence rate.

Health professionals describe this not as a short-term fluctuation but as a reversal of earlier progress against the disease— raising concerns about detection, prevention and access to care.

📊 What the Numbers Show

• Public health tracking in Montreal indicates that the number of active cases has climbed over recent years — with most cases occurring in people born outside of Canada.

• Provincial surveillance shows that TB remains a persistent challenge across Quebec, with higher incidence among vulnerable groups such as recent immigrants and individuals in crowded or unstable housing.

• In regions like Nunavik and Montréal, cases continue to be reported at elevated rates, prompting local health agencies to intensify their monitoring and response efforts.

💡 What Tuberculosis Is & How It Spreads

Tuberculosis is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis and most often affects the lungs. It spreads through airborne droplets when someone with active disease coughs or talks — but it generally requires prolonged close exposure for transmission.

Symptoms can include:

• A cough lasting several weeks

• Fever and chills

• Night sweats

• Fatigue and weight loss

• Loss of appetite

Health authorities emphasize that TB is treatable with antibiotics, but treatment is lengthy — typically lasting several months — and requires strict adherence to medication.

📍 Who’s Most at Risk

Public health data show that TB disproportionately affects people:

• Born in countries where TB is more common, especially soon after arrival in Canada.

• Living in crowded settings or with limited access to health care.

• In northern and remote regions like Nunavik, where rates are significantly higher than the provincial average.

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🩺 Public Health Response

Quebec’s health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and implement surveillance, screening and follow-up services to control the spread. Public health teams emphasize early detection and treatment adherence as key to limiting further spread.

Health experts also stress that while TB remains a serious public health issue, it is not highly contagious in casual settings, and there’s no need for broad panic.