TB Medical Surveillance

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires certain individuals to complete tuberculosis (TB) medical surveillance as a condition of entry or continued residence in Canada. Individuals are placed on TB medical surveillance for the following reasons that are identified during the immigration process:

• Classified as being at higher risk for developing active pulmonary TB disease
• May have latent TB infection (LTBI) and are at risk of progressing to active disease
• Abnormal chest x-ray findings
• Previous history of TB which was discovered during their Immigration Medical Exam

TB medical surveillance consists of a medical examination to rule out active disease, including:

1. A TB symptom and physical assessment; and
2. Chest x-ray at time of medical examination. Previous chest x-rays are not acceptable. If the chest x-ray does not rule out TB or the client has symptoms consistent with TB, sputum collection for smear and culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) are also required.
3. Other appropriate tests as deemed necessary by the health care provider (e.g., additional or repeat diagnostic imaging).
4. Tuberculin skin test (TST), if no previous documentation or previous history of TB is available. Although this is encouraged, a TST is not mandatory requirement of medical surveillance.

Clients who require medical surveillance must be seen by the Health Unit before being assessed by a health care provider. Clients who live in Windsor and Essex County and require TB medical surveillance can call 519-258-2146, extension 1420, for an appointment.  During the appointment, clients are provided a package, which includes an assessment and reporting form, to bring to a health care provider.  Once the assessment is completed, health care providers are to fax completed forms and test results to the Infectious Disease Prevention Department at fax number 226-783-2132.