Cara Loverock
Northern News Services
Published Monday, December 3, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - The spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has become a growing concern in the NWT. In response the GNWT launched a new campaign last week to inform the public about how to stay healthy.

Wanda White stands by one of the new posters that will be going up around the NWT as part of the campaign to inform the public of superbugs. - Cara Loverock/ NNSL photo

"We decided to become more proactive about superbugs before it becomes a larger problem in the Northwest Territories," said Sandy Lee, minister of health and social services.

According to Dr. Andre Corriveau, chief medical health officer with GNWT Health and Social Services, there has been a sharp increase in cases of infection of a superbug, also known as Methicillin Resistant Staphlococcus Aureus (MRSA), which can cause boils, abscesses, pneumonia and infections of the blood and bone. Corriveau said that across the NWT there have been 40 reported cases since the start of 2007, much higher than the usual six to ten cases a year in the territory.

Part of the problem, he said, is the overuse of antibiotics, which will be addressed through the better education of healthcare practitioners.

"We are launching a poster series to provide some basic guidance to the public," said Corriveau. The posters include important information like direct contact from person to person is how the bacteria is spread and people should wash their hands or use sanitizer often, in order to help stop the spread of the bacteria.

"We don't want to alarm the public, but we do want them to know it's around," said Corriveau, adding there are no communities in the territory that are not at risk of the bacteria spreading amongst the population.

Wanda White, chair of the NWT Infection Control Committee, said that the posters will be going up largely in daycares, schools and fitness centres. She said the posters are part of a public education initiative that also includes letting people know when they should see a nurse or doctor. According to White, a boil or abscess that doesn't go away within a week and begins to spread is cause for concern.

Corriveau was unable to say how much is being spent on the campaign, but he did confirm that there are funds from existing resources within the Health and Social Services Department of the GNWT being used for the campaign.

"The message is going out, so hopefully we'll make a difference," said Lee.