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:
- A TB symptom and physical assessment; and
- 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.
- Other appropriate tests as deemed necessary by the health care provider (e.g., additional or repeat diagnostic imaging).
- 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.