HIV cases rising in Alberta, sparking need for broad outreach, experts say – CBC

Number of reported HIV cases increased from 293 in 2022 to 507 last year, government report shows

Oct 21, 2024

Doctors and front-line workers are watching closely as HIV rates increase significantly in Alberta.

An annual Alberta Health report reveals the number of new HIV cases jumped by 73 per cent last year, from 293 in 2022 to 507 in 2023.

Reported cases have nearly doubled since 2019.

“It’s significant. It’s the opposite direction that we hope HIV rates and infections are happening,” said Dr. Caley Shukalek, a Calgary physician working in HIV and STI (sexually transmitted infection) prevention and treatment.

There are likely a number of factors contributing to this trend, including changing demographics, according to Shukalek.

While HIV still affects gay, bisexual, trans and other people who have sex with men, he’s seeing increasing cases in the heterosexual community and among those who use injection drugs, particularly in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-hiv-cases-rising-1.7356410