Health officials face an outbreak of STI cases

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Health officials in Alberta are alarmed by the surge in STI rates in the province.

According to Alberta Health Services (AHS), syphilis rates have more than doubled from 2018.

Last year, there were more than 5,000 cases of gonorrhea in Alberta.

Dr. Petra Smyczek, Provincial Director of STI Treatment Services, explains the origin of most cases.

"We have cases of STDs in all areas of the province, but Edmonton has the majority."

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Smyczek said the majority of cases involved heterobadual young Albertans.

"It is very difficult to talk about a specific reason and there is probably not a reason but many different things that probably contribute to this epidemic."

She says the number of cases has not been as high since the 1980s.

AHS asks people to badume their responsibilities, to be tested and to use protection if they are badually active.