New information raises questions about existence of brain syndrome in New Brunswick
According to New Brunswick's Health Minister Dorothy Shephard, a new epidemiological report has found there was no known food, behavior, or environmental exposure that caused the symptoms of a mystery brain syndrome.
“I think what we wanted to convey today, in particular to patients and their families is that our work isn’t quite finished,” Shephard told CTV’s Steve Murphy.
Shephard released the information following another recent outside report, which examined eight New Brunswick deaths that were initially linked to the mystery syndrome and concluded they were all due to known diseases.
Shephard would not say whether the individuals were initially misdiagnosed. Instead, she wants to wait for the outcome of another study being conducted by an oversight committee of six neurologists.
“This is an exploratory tool that we will now pass on to the clinical team, as they do their assessments,” said Shephard, who added the report is expected to be released in early 2022.
At a news conference on Wednesday, Shephard also said there have been gaps in the reporting process and that the situation was allowed to escalate, in some instances without proper oversight.
“A preliminary investigation was never really done, which was paramount to launching a determination that we had an unknown neurological disease and that we were dealing with it,” said Shephard.
“Then they realized a step was missed. It is incumbent upon the Province of New Brunswick, our department and public health, to ensure that the preliminary study was done. That’s why we have an epidemiological team in place.”
Of the 48 suspected cases, 46 of them were referred by a single neurologist. None of those 46 patients have died, and many families have requested that more information be released.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.