Rise of rare bacterial disease not expected to ‘spiral out of control’: doctor – CTV

June 13, 2024

While a rare bacterial infection that can lead to meningitis is on the rise in some provinces across Canada, an infectious diseases specialist says it’s not expected to “spiral out of control.”

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a bacterial infection that can cause meningitis (severe brain and spinal cord inflammation) and is potentially fatal.

So far, Ontario and Manitoba have seen activity this year, a spokesperson for Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) confirmed, with Toronto Public Health reporting a total of 13 cases so far in 2024. It’s the highest number of recorded infections in the city since 2002.

Early data from the National Microbiology Laboratory suggests, however, the total number of IMD cases nationwide has not increased compared to previous years. From 2010 through 2021, there has been an average of nearly 115 cases per year.

Read more: https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/rise-of-rare-bacterial-disease-not-expected-to-spiral-out-of-control-doctor-1.6923875