Don't share smokes: Nunatsiavut awareness campaign ahead of World Tuberculosis Day

The Nunatsiavut government is spreading awareness abouttuberculosis in a new campaign geared toward youth.

The campaign whichlaunched Wednesdayin preparation for World Tuberculosis Day on March 24 is in response to outbreaks of the disease among teens and young adultsin Nain and Hopedaleover the past couple of years.

• 19 more TB cases so far this year in Labrador, compared to 2014
• Nain TB outbreak began months before public disclosure in wake of media questions

"I think one of the key messages that we want to get across in our campaign is that smoking devices such as third lungs, bongs, cigarettes are high-risk activities for spreading TB disease," Sylvia Doody,director of health services forthe Department ofof Health and Social Development, told CBC Radio's Labrador Morning.

"If you are using these smoking devices, please do not share."

Smoking devices such as third lungs, bongs, cigarettes are high-risk activities for spreading TB disease.- Sylvia Doody, Director of Health Services

Tuberculosis (TB) is aninfectious disease caused by bacteria, and mainly affects the lungs. It is spread through the air when a person with active TBcoughs,speaks, spits or sneezes, as well as through the sharing of products.

"So what we're trying to do is raise awareness about how it's spread so that people can take measures to protect themselves and their families," Doody added.

Involving youth

There are two categories of people who are at a high risk of getting tuberculosis: peoplewho have recently been infected with thebacteria and people with weakened immune systems.

"Oftentimes we see babies and young children who may have weakened immune systems, people with HIV infection, substance abuse, diabetes, those sort of things," she said.

To get young peopleinvolved in the campaign, the department held a contest for designing a logo.Vanessa Flowers of Hopedalesubmitted the winning entry.

Doody said they also have promotional itemsyouth said they would actually use and posters in various communities.

"We work with our partner, Labrador Grenfell Health, to respond to outbreaks in our communities, and part of that is through contact tracing, delivery of direct-observe medications, providing the education and awareness to our communities," Doody said.

"Also providing support to families with any support that they may need in terms of answering their questions, facilitating them coming to appointments, and helping out in any way that we can to support the work that we do locally from a public health perspective."