World TB Day 2024

Timmins, Ontario — Thursay, March 21, 2024

World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is observed every year on March 24, one of eight official global public health campaigns marked by the World Health Organization. Communities around the world shines a light on TB on March 24 by lighting up landmarks in red. This year, the Porcupine Health Unit is joining Stop TB Canada and the global movement to recognize World TB Day by lighting up the Timmins landmark signs in red.

“Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that is preventable, treatable, and curable,” said Stephanie Gravel, a Public Health nurse in the infectious diseases program at the Porcupine Health Unit. “World TB Day brings attention to TB and the impact the disease has in Canada and around the world.”  

Gravel adds that, “This year, the theme of World TB Day is ‘YES! We can end TB.’ The Timmins signs in front of the bus station and Timmins Museum will be lit up in red on Sunday, March 24, to honour the millions of people affected by TB, to raise awareness about TB and to support the efforts to end TB in Canada and around the world.”  

World TB Day is observed on March 24th, as it was on this day in 1882 that Dr. Robert Koch announced the discovery of the TB bacteria. This discovery lay the groundwork for diagnosing and curing TB and became a turning point in the fight against TB at the time.

For information about the campaign and to learn more about the efforts to end TB, visit the Stop TB Partnership web site at www.stoptb.org.