SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The number of people infected with an antibiotic-resistant bacteria is increasing in Yellowknife, according to the territory's chief public medical officer.

"Where we had two or three new cases a month we now have four or five," said Dr. Kami Kandola.

Since the end of February, the city has had nine new cases while 23 were reported across the territory according to Kandola.

Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a strain of a common bacteria found on skin which has become resistant to most commonly-used antibiotics.

Although first found in hospitals, cases of infections acquired outside of health-care settings began appearing in the 1990s.

"We normally see them in crowded conditions such as long-term care facilities and shelters," said Kandola. "Now we are seeing them in random individuals who are not connected to each other."

She said that new cases are occurring with people of no similarities of age or background.

"More cases in different segments of the population indicate a broad spread of dissemination," said Kandola. "It's not isolated to one specific segment of society."

A source stated the Centre for Northern Families reported a case of MRSA a month ago. Brian Birch, program manager for the Yellowknife Salvation Army, said no cases have been reported at their shelter.

"We are lucky to have a clinical nurse come in on Mondays," said Birch.

The most common signs of an MRSA infection are boils, cysts and wound infections. MRSA can also lead to pneumonia, bone and blood infections and, rarely, flesh-eating disease. Left untreated, the infections can become life-threatening.

The bacteria are spread through direct physical contact with someone carrying the bacteria or by objects that are contaminated. If detected early, infections can be treated with certain antibiotics.

In mid-February, the Department of Health and Social Services held a press conference stating that 2009 showed the largest increase in MRSA cases in the territory's history. Ninety-nine cases of the infection were reported in the territory in 2009, with 44 of the infections reported from the Tlicho community of Behchoko. The NWT had 64 cases in 2008 and 39 cases in 2007.

Kandola said a public awareness and education campaign has been successful in lowering the number of cases in communities such as Behchoko.

She said that the GNWT is working with the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority to increase education and public awareness.

"We will have pamphlets readily available to the public at health clinics," said Kandola.