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
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.