TDRC Media Releases

 

Tuberculosis Action Group 

For immediate release                                                                                          March 19, 2004


 “This may well be the tuberculosis inquest of the century
for homeless people”
Peter Rosenthal, lawyer for Tuberculosis Action Group (TBAG)

Text Box: Press conference: Inquest on TB-related death of Joseph Teigesser 9 a.m.,  Monday, March 22, 2004 Coroner’s Court, 15 Grosvenor Street, Toronto Inquest resumes after press conference at 9:30 a.m.  

 

 

 

 

 

“Community organizations have a great concern about TB in the homeless population,” says Kathy Hardill, RN. This concern is mirrored by a recent report from the former Toronto Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Sheela Basrur.

The report states that:

 ·              Text Box: ALARMING NEWS   TBAG has just learned while writing this press release of a new active case of TB in Toronto’s homeless population. This is the 2nd active homeless case found since the inquest was called! There is “a strong link between TB, poverty, and homelessness.”

 ·              “in crowded shelters where poor nutrition, stress, and underlying health problems abound” – “TB  can touch off an outbreak that can go on for years”

·              The cost to Toronto Public Heath (TPH) alone during the outbreak in which Mr. Teigesser died was “more than $500,000” – “This situation is unsustainable for TPH.”

·              “one case of multi-drug-resistant TB”, in New York, “spread across the U.S.A. and eventually cost U $1 billion to eradicate.”



 “TB is caused by poverty and crowding,” says Cathy Crowe, RN.  “This inquest should be about housing and feeding our people and enhancing Toronto Public Health’s TB infrastructure.  A TB epidemic in Canada is socially and financially costly and should be a clarion call to everyone.”
 

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