Sexually transmitted diseases rise in Edmonton, northern Alberta

Sexually transmitted infections and HIV continue to rise across the province, most notably in Edmonton and the north, according to the latest numbers contained in a report from Alberta Health.

The report examines infection rates from 2005 to 2013.

With the exception of syphilis, the infection rates for STIs chlamydia and gonorrhea rose overall, butwere highest in the Northern Zone and Edmonton Zone, said the Alberta Health, Surveillance and Assessment STI and HIV 2013 Annual Report.

Not a surprise, saidDr. James Talbot, Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health

"Wherever you have the highest population of 15 to 40 yearolds is where you're going to see most disease," he said.

Companies in Albertas oilpatchmust do more to encouragesafe-sex practicesamong workers, such as distributing condoms, Talbot said.

"We have started to talk to employers in the area about innovative things we might be able to do to get to their workforce to make sure they're protected."

Antibiotic resistance a concern

Clamydia rates have jumped each year, with numbers consistently higher among females especiallythose 20 to 24 years of age.

Chlamydia,the most common STI in the province, iseasily treatable with antibiotics, but may go unnoticedbecause it is often present without symptoms leading tocomplications.

Gonorrhea, the second most common STI, sawrates rebound, especially among males, despite a drop in rates in 2010.

The rebound is alarming as resistanceto the antibiotics used to treat the diseaseis developing,the report said.

Rates forHIV continue toclimb, with the rate of new cases higher among men than women.

Most worrisome is an increase in HIV positive patients diagnosed with chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis, suggesting more of those peopleare participating in unsafe sex.

The one bright note is that the rates of syphilis have dropped since 2010 by more than one third, from 4.8 cases per 100,000 to 3.0 cases.

During those years, syphilis was targeted byprovincial ad campaigns.