Doctors in northern Saskatchewan are seeing an uptick in scurvy cases, sparking warnings on the resurgence of a once-rare disease linked to poor nutrition, and known for symptoms like bruising, bleeding gums, and tooth loss.
Since last year, doctors in the northern town of La Ronge, Sask., have identified at least 27 cases of scurvy, local physician Dr. Jeff Irvine, who examined the cases, told The Epoch Times. The reports stem from a study Irvine led between the summer of 2023 and the spring of 2024, and he says more cases have continued to emerge.
“The physician started to get some red flags from his other patients and started noticing that there’s even more signs and symptoms of scurvy in these other patients,” Irvine said in an interview with larongeNow, a local news site. “So they started testing more and more and we’re finding more and more scurvy cases because of that now.”
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The Toronto woman’s recent scurvy diagnosis led to calls for doctors to consider socioeconomic factors when assessing patients. The woman arrived at the hospital with swollen gums, skin discolouration on both thighs, weakened legs, and reduced mobility. Her condition was only diagnosed after doctors reviewed her social circumstances and dietary history, according to the Oct. 7 report.
The patient lived in social isolation and had a history of high blood pressure, dyslipidemia (unbalanced lipid levels), hypothyroidism, anxiety, and depression. Her poor mobility made it difficult for her to shop and cook, so she relied on nonperishable foods such as canned soup, tuna, white bread, and processed cheese.
Once doctors gave her vitamin C, she began to recover.
“There are numerous risk factors for [scurvy], but clinicians should have a higher index of suspicion in patient[s] with low socioeconomic status or who are experiencing food insecurity,” doctors said in the report.
The Saskatchewan Opposition NDP has said the surge in scurvy cases in the province is caused by “skyrocketing food prices.”
The Saskatchewan Party government said in a Nov. 19 media statement that food prices are primarily under the purview of the federal government.
“[We] will continue to advocate for our residents to push for necessary changes, including at the federal/provincial/territorial level to ensure affordable access to essential food items,” the province said in a media statement on Nov. 19.
The Epoch Times contacted the Saskatchewan government and the province’s health authority for comment but did not hear back by publication time.
The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
