PREPARED BY: Infectious Disease Prevention
DATE: 2025-09-18
SUBJECT: Tuberculosis (TB) Risk in Windsor and Essex County
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE
Tuberculosis (TB) continues to pose a significant public health concern both globally and within Canada. TB is a disease caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. The bacteria enter the body through air you breathe and cause an infection, usually in the lungs. Sometimes infections can happen in other parts of the body, such as the brain, lymph nodes, kidney, spine, bones, and even the skin. Recent data show a troubling rise in TB cases in Windsor-Essex County (WEC) (see Table 1). In 2024, the region reported a 70% increase in active TB cases compared to the previous year, jumping from 10 cases to 17 cases. In 2025, 17 active cases have already been identified, including 5 among International Agriculture Workers (IAW) workers. This underscores the urgent need for increased awareness and timely intervention to curb transmission and prevent long-term health consequences.
Table 1: Windsor-Essex County Disease Cases Counts by Year
DISCUSSION
A single case of active TB requires a robust public health response, including case management, contact tracing, and preventative care for those exposed contacts. Each identified case can generate 10 to 50 or more contacts needing health care follow-up, especially in high-transmission risk environments such as congregate living settings including shared accommodations for IAWs. Of particular concern, IAWs often face multiple barriers that limit their access to timely and appropriate healthcare. Such barriers may delay diagnosis and treatment, increasing the likelihood of TB spread within the community.
To address these challenges and reduce access barriers, a coordinated, client-centered referral system has been developed between the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) and Erie Shores HealthCare’s (ESHC) Mobile Medical Support (MMS) team. This system ensures integrated, seamless, confidential access to follow-up and treatment. Under this model, the WECHU identifies TB contacts, performs initial assessments, and provides them with follow-up recommendations that MMS can facilitate. With the support of local farm operators, the MMS team will conduct onsite visits, orders necessary lab tests, and prescribes TB treatment as needed. The medication is dispensed, free of charge, by the WECHU and contacts are monitored throughout the course of treatment until completion.
This collaboration between WECHU and ESHC/MMS is critical for preventing further spread within a high-risk population, detecting latent infections, and ensuring successful treatment outcomes, aligning with the 2025 Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Protocol. Providing accessible, coordinated pathways for all TB contacts, particularly vulnerable populations such as IAWs, is an important public health priority.