Nunavut tuberculosis clinic concludes in Naujaat with nearly 900 people screened

A screening clinic for tuberculosis in Naujaat has come to an end, Nunavut's Health department says.

The clinic first launched in April, after a TB outbreak was declared in the community of about 1,200.

That outbreak was first declared in May 2023.

In April, Naujaat Mayor Kevin Tegumiar said three Naujaat residents died since the outbreak began in the community. Nunavut's Health department confirmed that number in a recent interview with CBC.

Health officials have set a goal to test 1,000 people in Naujaat for TB by the end of the clinic, on May 30.

The department said over its six-week operation, the clinic screened 892 individuals, meeting nearly 90 percent of the clinic's goal to screen 1,000 individuals.

A total of 31 latent cases of TB were identified, while "a few active cases were found."

A screening clinic was also held in Pangnirtung last fall, which allowed about 70 per cent of the population to be tested.