Iqaluit (May 08/06) - Despite an increase in the number of cases, a study on a deadly blood virus is six-months behind schedule.

HTLV-1 - spread through sexual contact, needle sharing and breastfeeding - was first discovered in a Nunavut patient last June.

What is HTLV-1? The Human Lymphotropic Virus, Type 1 infects the blood. It can cause cancer of the blood and diseases of the nervous system. How can I tell if I have the HTLV-1? You need to have a blood test. Only four per cent of people infected with this virus will ever get sick from it. Symptoms include loss of strength in the lower limbs, loss of bladder control and cancer of the blood. How is the virus spread? Unprotected sexual contact Mother to infant (through birth or breastfeeding) Sharing needles and syringes Is there a cure for HTLV-1? At this time there is no known treatment or cure. - Information courtesy of Nunavut Department

The virus can cause cancer of the blood and diseases of the nervous system. At least one Nunavummiut has died as a result of HTLV-1.

In September 2005, the chief medical officer of health, Dr. Isaac Sobol, released the information to the public and announced the initiation of a seroprevalence study - an anonymous, unlinked study of blood samples designed to collect information about the presence of HTLV-1 in Nunavut.

At that time, Sobol stated no more than 20 people in Nunavut have the rare virus, and that more information would be available in six months time - based on preliminary results of the seroprevalence study.

Since then, at least one more case has been found, he said, and due to unforseen delays, six months later the study hadn't even begun.

"We thought, somewhat optimistically, that this would have happened sooner," he said.

The study is being done with Public Health Agency of Canada funding, using special labs located outside the territory. The federal partnership and study requires the okay from the Health Canada Ethics Review Board, said Sobol.

"This approval took longer then expected," he said. "Just meeting with Health Canada and gathering what was needed to submit to the Ethics Review Board took time. We submitted everything in December and then had to make changes and then resubmit the proposal."

Sobol admitted he was surprised the ethics board was involved in the first place.

"I didn't think they would be involved because they tend to research studies and the seroprevalence study is a grey area," said Sobol.

The study has been approved and began May 1, he said.

Despite the delay, Sobol remains positive.

"Several months ago we started antenatal screening for pregnant women and have continued contact tracing and family investigation. And the total number of cases now is almost identical to what it was months ago."

Another possible bonus is the seroprevalence study may take less time to complete than originally thought.

"The bad news is it's been six months and we don't have anything. The good news is it may take one year less, or a year in total - to complete the study," said Sobol.

In addition to the study, the department is offering confidential, free testing to people at risk or who feel they may be at risk of contracting the virus.