Despite high ALS numbers, Quebec public health says no elevated risk in Eastern Townships

After an investigation, public health officials in Quebec's Eastern Townships say there is no elevated risk of ALS, despite worrying numbers.

Despite having around 30 cases of ALS in 20 years in the same community in Quebec’s Eastern Townships, public health says there is no elevated risk for residents.

The Estrie health and social services centre at the Sherbrooke Hospital (CIUSSSE-CHUS) began investigating after a high number of patients were diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in Windsor, Que.

During a meeting on Wednesday night, officials admitted there are some worrying issues in the Val-Saint-François region, which includes Windsor.

However, they added that there aren’t more ALS cases in the region than in other parts of Quebec.

“Significant work has been done by public health over the past year,” CIUSSS public health director Dr. Isabelle Samson. “Obviously, we all want answers about the causes of diseases so that we can take preventive action. To do this, we must continue to conduct research studies.”

She added that though public health is not continuing its investigation, it will monitor new cases in the region.

The investigation looked into heavy metals in the water and bacteria in local lakes.

Julie Dubois’s husband died of the disease last year, and she said public health’s answers are not reassuring.

“Just me, in the last year and couple of months, seven people that I knew have died in Saint-Francois,” she said.

The ALS Society of Canada says that one in 300 people is the “lifetime risk for anyone to develop ALS.”

Two to three people are diagnosed with ALS every day in the country, and there are currently 4,000 Canadians living with ALS in the country.

As of 2021, there were just over 31,000 people living in the Val-Saint-François region, according to Statistics Canada, with just over 5,000 living in Windsor.