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By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

red deer city hall

Canadian landmarks to light up red March 24 for World Tuberculosis Day

Mar 18, 2025 | 1:49 PM

Red Deer City Hall will light up red on March 24 to honour World Tuberculosis Day (TB).

TB is the world’s deadliest infectious disease, and rates in Canada are rising, organizers say.

“The devastating effects of the dismantling of USAID and other countries stepping back from funding global health cannot be understated,” said Taryn Russell, executive director at Results Canada.

“We must stand with people suffering and dying from TB around the world now more than ever. As we know from experience, infectious diseases do not respect borders, and the rise in TB cases here in Canada is alarming. The solution is to work together to protect our future, not turn a blind eye.”

In 2023 alone, TB claimed 1.25 million lives worldwide, and it is a growing threat in marginalized communities, officials say.

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In Canada that year, the rate of deaths from TB was 5.5 per 100,000 people, which was the highest since at least 2014. The year saw 2,217 cases of TB reported in Canada

Onlookers at Red Deer City Hall and more than 50 other landmarks across Canada are encouraged to take a picture and post to social media with #YesWeCanEndTB, and to send it to their Member of Parliament with a note about ending TB at home and globally.

“We are proud to partner with Red Deer on this important initiative,” added Russell. “Together, we can work towards a stable world free of TB, where every individual has access to the care and support they need to live a healthy life.”

According to alberta.ca, tuberculosis is diagnosed with a skin or blood test, and it can be detected with an x-ray of the lungs. TB, which causes a thick mucus, fatigue, fever, a fast heartbeat, and swelling in the neck, among other things including death, is treated with antibiotics.

It is spread through the air with bacteria being exhaled or coughed out.

More information is at resultscanada.ca.

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