TBAG Media Releases

Media Release

Release Date: April 2, 2004

END OF JOSEPH TEIGESSER INQUEST IN SIGHT – DAY SHELTER OPERATOR AND PUBLIC HEALTH TO GO TO THE STAND REGARDING TUBERCULOSIS AND THE HOMELESS

MONDAY APRIL 5, 9:30AM

CORONER’S COURT, 15 GROSVENOR

Mr. Joseph Teigesser died of tuberculosis during a micro epidemic which broke out in a homeless shelter.  He was carrying two strains of the disease and ultimately both of them broke out in his lungs.  By the time he died he had lost a lot of weight and was in terrible shape.  TB is a preventable disease but St. Michael’s Hospital was unable to save him.  He was too far gone.

Two other people died in the epidemic and 15 people in
total got active tuberculosis.  Countless others may have
gotten latent TB.  If they did, at least 10% of those will
develop active TB within their lifetime.

“The cost of this outbreak was tragic and financially costly.
Toronto Public Health alone had to spend over
$500,000 on the outbreak.  On Monday April 5, 2004
we will hear evidence of the scope of the outbreak and
what Public Health attempted to do about it.  What
happens in this inquest and it’s outcome will have
consequences for many, many years to come” says
Cathy Crowe, Street Nurse.

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