A study released this week shows the incidence of multiple sclerosis is higher in the Turner Valley-Black Diamond area than in the rest of the province.

The review by the Headwaters Health Authority was conducted after residents in the community voiced their concerns about the rate of the disease.

It shows that in 1999, the incidence of MS was at the rate of 354 cases for every 100,000 people. That compares to 313 cases per 100,000 for the rest of the province.

A nurse at the Black Diamond hospital, Terry Reuser, has MS and was instrumental in urging the health authority to conduct the review. Reuser says more study is needed because this review didn't examine why the rates are higher in her area.

Reuser believes there's a connection with sour gas well flaring.

The health authority's review also showed that the Black Diamond-Turner Valley area is not the only hot spot for MS in the province.