The Department of Health provided an update on April 2 regarding several hundred active and latent cases of tuberculosis in four Nunavut communities. 

Arviat is the most recent community to have a declared outbreak of the disease, as of Feb. 11. There were two people with active tuberculosis (TB) and eight individuals were newly diagnosed with latent TB between January 2025 and March 26, 2025.

"Most individuals have completed treatment; however, a small group are currently undergoing it," the department stated. "Community members who have been exposed to an active TB case, or who have TB symptoms, should visit the health centre for screening."

In Naujaat, where an outbreak was declared on May 16, 2023, 27 individuals were diagnosed with active TB and 155 individuals were found to have new latent TB between January 2023 and March 26, 2025, according to the department.

The number of cases in Pond Inlet, where the TB outbreak has been ongoing since March 17, 2023, comprise 13 people with active TB and 116 individuals with new latent TB between January 2023 and March 26, 2025.  

And in Pangnirtung, which has been coping with an outbreak of TB since Nov. 25, 2021, there are 47 people known to have active TB and 223 individuals were diagnosed with new latent TB between January 2021 and March 26, 2025.

Symptoms of active TB include a cough that lasts longer than three weeks, feeling very tired, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss and a fever or night sweats.

Anyone with these symptoms is encouraged to go to the health centre as soon as possible for screening, the Department of Health stated.

"TB is a treatable disease with medications available within your community," reads a GN news release. "If you have any questions, please contact your local health centre. Latent TB is not contagious but is treated to prevent it from becoming active.

"The Department of Health will continue to provide support and resources to communities to ensure access to adequate testing, education, treatment and support."