A northern health researcher is getting the Order of Ontario today, in part for her work on respiratory problems in the North.

Dr. Anna Banerji has been tracking RSV, or Respiratory Syncytial Virus, across the north. The virus can infect infants and leave them vulnerable to respiratory problems.

Banerji is still analyzing data she collected in the North, but she has already found some clear patterns of hospitalization for RSV infections.

“Northwest Territories has almost ten-fold less per population admissions. Even if you look in the Inuvialuit area, it’s less than Nunavut. But what’s interesting is that Nunavik is even higher than Nunavut,” she said.

Banerji’s latest data suggests that giving infants a dose of RSV antibodies is a cost-effective way of managing the infection in some northern communities.

She has argued for more widespread use of RSV antibodies in northern communities. This has put her at odds with some Nunavut health officials in the past, but Banerji makes no apologies for her advocacy then or now.

“My research has always been driven by, ‘what is the problem and what is the solution’. And when I have found a problem, I have spoken up,” she said.

Banerji said her working relationship with Nunavut health officials has improved in the last year.

Banerji will receive her award in Toronto. The Order of Ontario is the province’s highest official honour and recognizes achievement by Ontario residents in any field.