Superbug Linked to Two Deaths Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Prompts Concern from Health Officials
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NEWS CULTURE IN PHOTOS THE Education South minister eyes Slavey HUB French school gets Athletes admissions boost in action HAY RIVER, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016 ● 44th Year No. 4 ● $1.00 (.95 + GST) ● PM#40012157 Superbug linked to two deaths Antibiotic resistant bacteria prompts concern from health officials PAUL BICKFORD Corriveau was asked if [email protected] MRSA was the main cause of the deaths or if it was a Health officials are warn- contributing factor. Paul Bickford/NNSL photo ing about an increased inci- "It's not always possible to Judy Steele, the supervisor of Public Health in Hay River, holds a brochure about methicillin resistant dence of a so-called superbug be sure," he said. staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). – bacteria that has become "So we just put it as a con- resistant to common antibiotics tributing factor." "Our rates were going along bacteria can enter in through and into the lungs and causes overcrowded settings, espe- – in the Hay River area. As a result of the deaths fairly low compared to the rest that way." a very severe form of pneu- cially if people share bedding, The superbug's name is and the increased incidence of of the Northwest Territories, Steele said it can then cause monia, and those have a very towels or clothing. As for how methicillin resistant staphylo- MRSA, the Hay River Health and in the past year we've seen a rash, pustules or boils that high rate of fatalities." people might be able to tell the coccus aureus (MRSA) and it and Social Services Authority quite a rise in the incidents are usually easy to treat. The bacteria can even cause difference between the flu and is and considered a contribut- has begun a public awareness of community acquired," she flesh-eating disease. Cor- an MRSA-related illness, Cor- ing factor in two deaths within campaign. said, adding it is not clear why Bacteria riveau said there have been an riveau said, "If it seems to get the past year. The number of cases in Hay that is happening. a 'growing concern' increased number of incidents worse than a typical flu, espe- Dr. Andre Corriveau, the River is still less than the over- "We can have it on the sur- "But it's when this bacteria all across the NWT over the cially if it gets into the lungs, NWT's chief public health all NWT average. face of our skin and never, ever invades the bloodstream and past couple of years, and it's you would get shortness of officer, said he could not pro- Judy Steele, the public cause us any trouble, ever," causes septic shock or blood a "growing concern" from a breath or pain in breathing, or vide any detailed information health supervisor in Hay River, she said of the bacteria. "And poisoning, that's really a very public health perspective. the fever is not coming down on the deaths because of confi- said MRSA was mostly picked where the trouble comes is if hard bacteria to treat and it "Staphylococcus aureus is a with Tylenol or the regular dentiality concerns, other than up at hospitals years ago, and you have it on the surface of could be fatal," she said. "The common bug that causes skin cold remedies that you would to say they were in the Hay not many cases were acquired the skin, and you get a cut or a other way people can get it is if infections but now there are take. Then that's a sign that River area. in the community. scrape or something, then the it gets into the respiratory tract some strains of it that have you should go and get checked. become resistant to the com- So don't wait if you feel that it's monly used antibiotics, the not going in the right direction, ones that we would use nor- basically." mally as first line," he said. Steele said, if a person has a "So they need more power- rash, sores or an infection, they ful antibiotics that cost more need to seek medical advice. and that have more side effects. "The only way to diagnose It's still treat- if it is MRSA is through lab- able, but if ▼ you don't oratory testing," know from the "That's really she said. beginning that a very hard Skin infec- you're dealing tions can be with MRSA, bacteria to treat anywhere on you start with and it could the body but the wrong anti- are common biotic and then be fatal." around the you have to Judy Steele ▼ eyes, neck, adjust later on armpits, nose and it allows and groin. more time for A sore that the infection to get bigger and is draining puss or weepy can more severe. So that's the main be MRSA, said Steele. "I'm concern and why we'd like to not saying every wound like limit its spread as much as that is MRSA but the only possible." way to know for sure is to be Corriveau said there have tested." been MRSA-related deaths in She added basic hygiene, the past in the South Slave and like hand washing, and clean- other areas of the NWT. ing bathroom surfaces are also "We're going to work important, noting most house- with the community and the hold cleaners kill MRSA. Walter Strong/NNSL photo reserve, as well, to step up The bacteria can also be the information and make sure found in such places as hockey MAYORS TAKE STAGE AT GAMES that people know what can equipment, door knobs and TV Hay River Mayor Brad Mapes and Fort Smith Mayor Lynn Napier-Buckley raise the folded Arctic Winter be done to limit the spread of remote controls. Games flag, which was passed over in Nuuk, Greenland, to the duo on March 11 in recognition of being this," he said. It can even be caught and the twin host towns for the 2018 Arctic Winter Games. See more on page 7. The health official said spread by domestic animals MRSA may often spread in such as dogs and cats. 2 ▼ WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016 www.hayriverhub.com www.hayriverhub.com WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016 ▼ 3 Did we get it wrong? Hay River Hub is committed to get- ting facts and names right. With that goes a commitment to acknowledge mistakes and run corrections. If you spot an error in Hay River Hub, call 874-6577 and ask to speak to an editor, or e-mail [email protected]. We'll get a correction or clarification in as soon as we can. NEWS Briefs GNWT seeking ideas for budget Finance Minister Robert C. McLeod announced March 10 that the GNWT is seeking public input on its fiscal strategy and budgets for the next two fiscal years. Residents of the territory are being invited to visit the Department of Finance website from March 11 to May 20 to answer a series of questions about their priorities for GNWT programs and services, suggestions on how to use limited financial resources to fund govern- ment operations, ideas for improv- ing government efficiency, and how to balance infrastructure investment with program and service delivery. Information gathered is to be tabled during the May to June sitting of the legislative assembly during the debate on the 2016-2017 budget. Public recommendations for expenditure reductions and revenue options will be considered for inclu- sion in the 2017-2018 budget. GNWT spending is growing faster than revenues, McLeod stat- ed. To avoid future deficits and an unsustainable debt, the government Paul Bickford/NNSL photo will need to identify approximately $150 million in expenditure reduc- Brent Kaulback, left, the assistant superintendent of the South Slave Divisional Education Council, and Diane Tourangeau, tions and revenue options over the the South Slavey language instructor at Chief Sunrise Education Centre, demonstrate how shoppers at Ehdah Cho Store on the next five years. Hay River Reserve can actually hear the South Slavey word for many products. Guest speakers to appear at seniors' society Two guest speakers from Yellow- knife will be appearing at the after- noon coffee time, which commences at 1 p.m., of the Hay River Seniors' Shopping in Slavey Society on March 17. One of the speakers is expected from the Canadian Alzheimer's Society, and will talk about that Project puts aboriginal words on shelves disease and other types of dementia. The other speaker will talk about at Ehdah Cho Store on Hay River Reserve hearing loss, and will bring various devices that improve hearing for PAUL BICKFORD (SSDEC) and the Chief Sunrise "So these products can now able to hear the words, as well. So people to try. [email protected] Education Centre. talk," he said. that's what we did." "I'm not thinking that every- As of March 11, there were Diane Tourangeau, the South Cree culture and People on the Hay River Reserve one is going to be going around about 30 signs with South Slavey Slavey language instructor at Chief language lessons now have a new and innovative way with their phones and that sort of words around Ehdah Cho Store. Sunrise Education Centre, said high Soaring Eagle Friendship Cen- to learn some South Slavey words – thing but it's there as a support for "We tried to generalize. For school students and those in Grades tre will be presenting Cree culture at a grocery store. anyone intent on learning the lan- instance, this means soup," said 5 to 7 were all involved in the proj- and language lessons, beginning on On March 11, small signs were guage," said Brent Kaulback, assist- Kaulback, pointing to the sign ect, during which they did drawings March 21.