No reports of HIV or hepatitis have emerged since an October public health advisory was issued pertaining five health care facilities in the Beaufort Delta.

"As of Dec. 9, 2024, the CPHO [chief public health officer] has not received any reports of communicable diseases linked to these dental procedures," stated the Department of Health and Social Services press release. "Healthcare providers in the NWT are required by law to report such diseases to the CPHO under the Public Health Act."

Residents of Ulukhaktok, Sachs, Harbour, Paulatuk, Aklavik and Fort McPherson were advised on Oct. 8 to get tested for blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis B and C as well as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) if they received dental services in the Beaufort Delta between March 21 and April 29, as some equipment used during clinics at those times had not been sterilized up to modern standards and practices.

The update noted the initial advisory was released as a precaution.

"Residents who received dental services during the specified dates were asked to contact their local health centre for assessment and testing," the release reads."These tests were recommended as a precautionary measure to check for potential exposure to communicable diseases like hepatitis C, hepatitis B, human immunodeficiency virus, etc."