Post by anjali87 on Oct 24, 2022 11:13:41 GMT 12
In order to understand the notion of increased immigration relating to increased reports of tuberculosis, we must first understand what the disease is. Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection primarily impacting the lungs, and other parts of the respiratory system. It is an air-borne disease, and is also known to impact organs or particles relating to the nervous system, and lymphatic system.
Tuberculosis has a long history in North America—and Canada, specifically—beginning with the onslaught of settlers who entered Canada in the 17th century. Because of this, Canada’s Indigenous population faced high infection rates. However, as the root of the disease grew to be understood, the previous toll on mortality, and infection, decreased. Through the 20th century, North Americans saw the creation of effective drug treatment against tuberculosis, alongside improvements in the standard of living. The mortality rate of tuberculosis decreased drastically; where 180 out of every 100,000 citizens succumbed to tuberculosis in 1900, only 1 out of every 100,000 citizens perished from tuberculosis by the mid-1980s. The number of cases reported also dropped, during the same time period. Nunavut has seen the highest rate of tuberculosis cases, with approximately 156 out of every 100,000 citizens being impacted by the disease. This aligns with the disproportionate effect that the disease has had on Canada’s Indigenous and Inuit peoples. First Nations reserves were struck by tuberculosis epidemics during the early 20th-century, leading to the deaths of many inhabitants. Some current factors of the tuberculosis infections in Indigenous communities are the unstable socio-economic conditions; improper housing and food security also fall into this sector.
The majority of individuals impacted by tuberculosis develop latent tuberculosis infection, or LTBI. Those affected by latent tuberculosis disease have tuberculosis germs present in the body, but are not ill, as these germs are inactive. Because of this, they cannot spread tuberculosis to others. Latent tuberculosis is generally treated, based on the individual’s probability of developing tuberculosis, in the future.
In contrast, those that feel ill have been afflicted by active tuberculosis disease. Active tuberculosis can be identified by a plethora of symptoms, generally associated with a number of respiratory diseases. To illustrate, active tuberculosis may be an explanation for fatigue, a loss of appetite, recent weight loss, chills or fever, and night sweats. Though tuberculosis mainly targets the airways, and organs in the respiratory tract, it may also impact the brain, the kidneys, and the lymph nodes (all playing critical roles in the nervous system, urinary system, and lymphatic system, respectively).
Tuberculosis may be diagnosed through a skin test, or a blood test. During a skin test, a minute portion of, non-infectious, tuberculosis protein is injected under the skin. As this protein is non-infectious, it will not spread to other parts of the body. If the test returns a positive result, further tests are required to detect latent tuberculosis, or active tuberculosis. Tuberculosis may be cured through the usage of antibiotics—readily available in Canada. Antibiotic treatment may carve out a large portion of time before the tuberculosis bacteria has been mostly vanquished. Tuberculosis bacteria, or Mycobacterium tuberculosis, may be spread through droplets from the lungs, or through the airways of an infected individual. This transmission may occur by sneezing, coughing, or exchanging items that have been contaminated by respiratory droplets.
You may be wondering: how does this information relate to tuberculosis and immigration?
An understanding of the medication and methods of diagnoses required are important when looking at Canada’s response to the international tuberculosis crisis. As a developed country, with a reliant health care system, a majority of Canadian citizens are able to access proper drug treatment, and come into contact with the medical professionals needed to receive tests and diagnosis. Another important point has also been referenced: “The majority of individuals impacted by tuberculosis develop latent tuberculosis infection, or LTBI.” This means that a significant number of individuals affected by tuberculosis carry inactive bacteria; this bacteria can be easily treated with the proper regime—especially with the security of the Canadian health care system.
Factors such as existing diseases may put an individual at higher risk of contracting tuberculosis; HIV, AIDS, silicosis, and diabetes are examples of diseases that place an individual at high risk. Additionally, exposure to intense drug treatment, and intaking large amounts of alcohol are factors that create high risks of tuberculosis. Bovine tuberculosis, a form of tuberculosis generally present in underdeveloped regions, may be acquired in a few circumstances: the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products from infected cattle, exposure to tuberculosis bacteria released by infected animals, animal carcasses, or animal waste products.
The majority of tuberculosis cases are reported in underdeveloped countries: Bangladesh, China, India, and the Philippines are a few of the countries that have reported the largest number of tuberculosis cases. Approximately 25% of the Earth’s population may be infected by tuberculosis bacteria, with most of these individuals being impacted by latent tuberculosis disease; only a small percentage of these individuals will fall ill with active tuberculosis. Youth are disproportionately affected by tuberculosis: “1.1 million children and young adolescents aged under 15 years fall ill with TB every year, and more than 225 000 of them lose their lives” (Module 5, 2022). However, The World Health Organization has been working on forms of treatment that may be utilized for children with the disease. They currently state that treatment lasting for six months—using ethionamide, or Eto—is the preferred alternative to the usual twelve-month routine, due to the reduced toll that shortened treatment may place on international health care systems.
Though these factors are prevalent on an international basis—especially in under-developed countries—they still play a role in many Canadians’ lives. The nature of the diseases present internationally should be a reason to accept immigrants into Canadian society: aligning with the poor social conditions that may be present. With the varied treatment and medical expertise available in Canada, individuals may be able to access the medication necessary to combat tuberculosis, amongst other diseases, with safe transportation.
In Canada, 73.5% of active tuberculosis has been reported in individuals who were born in foreign countries. An estimated 9.9 million people were affected by tuberculosis in 2020. However, a mere 5.8 million cases were reported to the World Health Organization, in the same year. According to this statistic, 41% of tuberculosis cases were not reported, or even, undiagnosed. The World Health Organization reports that approximately ten million people fall ill with tuberculosis, on an international basis. Even though it is a preventable disease, its rate of contraction has led to its status as the world’s top infectious killer.
Tuberculosis has a long history in North America—and Canada, specifically—beginning with the onslaught of settlers who entered Canada in the 17th century. Because of this, Canada’s Indigenous population faced high infection rates. However, as the root of the disease grew to be understood, the previous toll on mortality, and infection, decreased. Through the 20th century, North Americans saw the creation of effective drug treatment against tuberculosis, alongside improvements in the standard of living. The mortality rate of tuberculosis decreased drastically; where 180 out of every 100,000 citizens succumbed to tuberculosis in 1900, only 1 out of every 100,000 citizens perished from tuberculosis by the mid-1980s. The number of cases reported also dropped, during the same time period. Nunavut has seen the highest rate of tuberculosis cases, with approximately 156 out of every 100,000 citizens being impacted by the disease. This aligns with the disproportionate effect that the disease has had on Canada’s Indigenous and Inuit peoples. First Nations reserves were struck by tuberculosis epidemics during the early 20th-century, leading to the deaths of many inhabitants. Some current factors of the tuberculosis infections in Indigenous communities are the unstable socio-economic conditions; improper housing and food security also fall into this sector.
The majority of individuals impacted by tuberculosis develop latent tuberculosis infection, or LTBI. Those affected by latent tuberculosis disease have tuberculosis germs present in the body, but are not ill, as these germs are inactive. Because of this, they cannot spread tuberculosis to others. Latent tuberculosis is generally treated, based on the individual’s probability of developing tuberculosis, in the future.
In contrast, those that feel ill have been afflicted by active tuberculosis disease. Active tuberculosis can be identified by a plethora of symptoms, generally associated with a number of respiratory diseases. To illustrate, active tuberculosis may be an explanation for fatigue, a loss of appetite, recent weight loss, chills or fever, and night sweats. Though tuberculosis mainly targets the airways, and organs in the respiratory tract, it may also impact the brain, the kidneys, and the lymph nodes (all playing critical roles in the nervous system, urinary system, and lymphatic system, respectively).
Tuberculosis may be diagnosed through a skin test, or a blood test. During a skin test, a minute portion of, non-infectious, tuberculosis protein is injected under the skin. As this protein is non-infectious, it will not spread to other parts of the body. If the test returns a positive result, further tests are required to detect latent tuberculosis, or active tuberculosis. Tuberculosis may be cured through the usage of antibiotics—readily available in Canada. Antibiotic treatment may carve out a large portion of time before the tuberculosis bacteria has been mostly vanquished. Tuberculosis bacteria, or Mycobacterium tuberculosis, may be spread through droplets from the lungs, or through the airways of an infected individual. This transmission may occur by sneezing, coughing, or exchanging items that have been contaminated by respiratory droplets.
You may be wondering: how does this information relate to tuberculosis and immigration?
An understanding of the medication and methods of diagnoses required are important when looking at Canada’s response to the international tuberculosis crisis. As a developed country, with a reliant health care system, a majority of Canadian citizens are able to access proper drug treatment, and come into contact with the medical professionals needed to receive tests and diagnosis. Another important point has also been referenced: “The majority of individuals impacted by tuberculosis develop latent tuberculosis infection, or LTBI.” This means that a significant number of individuals affected by tuberculosis carry inactive bacteria; this bacteria can be easily treated with the proper regime—especially with the security of the Canadian health care system.
Factors such as existing diseases may put an individual at higher risk of contracting tuberculosis; HIV, AIDS, silicosis, and diabetes are examples of diseases that place an individual at high risk. Additionally, exposure to intense drug treatment, and intaking large amounts of alcohol are factors that create high risks of tuberculosis. Bovine tuberculosis, a form of tuberculosis generally present in underdeveloped regions, may be acquired in a few circumstances: the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products from infected cattle, exposure to tuberculosis bacteria released by infected animals, animal carcasses, or animal waste products.
The majority of tuberculosis cases are reported in underdeveloped countries: Bangladesh, China, India, and the Philippines are a few of the countries that have reported the largest number of tuberculosis cases. Approximately 25% of the Earth’s population may be infected by tuberculosis bacteria, with most of these individuals being impacted by latent tuberculosis disease; only a small percentage of these individuals will fall ill with active tuberculosis. Youth are disproportionately affected by tuberculosis: “1.1 million children and young adolescents aged under 15 years fall ill with TB every year, and more than 225 000 of them lose their lives” (Module 5, 2022). However, The World Health Organization has been working on forms of treatment that may be utilized for children with the disease. They currently state that treatment lasting for six months—using ethionamide, or Eto—is the preferred alternative to the usual twelve-month routine, due to the reduced toll that shortened treatment may place on international health care systems.
Though these factors are prevalent on an international basis—especially in under-developed countries—they still play a role in many Canadians’ lives. The nature of the diseases present internationally should be a reason to accept immigrants into Canadian society: aligning with the poor social conditions that may be present. With the varied treatment and medical expertise available in Canada, individuals may be able to access the medication necessary to combat tuberculosis, amongst other diseases, with safe transportation.
In Canada, 73.5% of active tuberculosis has been reported in individuals who were born in foreign countries. An estimated 9.9 million people were affected by tuberculosis in 2020. However, a mere 5.8 million cases were reported to the World Health Organization, in the same year. According to this statistic, 41% of tuberculosis cases were not reported, or even, undiagnosed. The World Health Organization reports that approximately ten million people fall ill with tuberculosis, on an international basis. Even though it is a preventable disease, its rate of contraction has led to its status as the world’s top infectious killer.