Genital Chlamydia
In 2014, the rate of genital chlamydia increased to 288.4 per 100,000 population, continuing the overall provincial trend of a steady increase since 1998.
- The highest rates were in Vancouver, Northwest and Northeast Health Service Delivery Areas.
- Females continued to have higher rates of genital chlamydia infection than males.
- The highest rates were among young adults aged 20-29 years, followed by adolescents aged 15-19 years.
- An increase in lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) was identified in 2014. The number of LGV cases remains higher than historic levels. All cases were among men who have sex with men, many of whom are co-infected with HIV.
Genital chlamydia rates in BC and Canada, 1991 to 2014
Genital chlamydia case reports in BC by age group and gender, 2014
Genital Gonorrhea
In 2014, the provincial rate of genital gonorrhea increased to 38.9 per 100,000 population, continuing an overall steady increase since 1998.
- The highest rates were in Vancouver, Northwest and Northern Interior Health Service Delivery Areas.
- Males have higher rates of infection than females. In 2014, rates in males increased while rates in females were more stable.
- The highest rates of infection were among males aged 25-29 years and among females aged 20-24 years.
- Analysis of recent gonorrhea antimicrobial resistance trends in BC showed a reduction in the proportion of isolates with reduced susceptibility to cefixime and ceftriaxone since 2011.
Genital gonorrhea rates in BC and Canada, 1991 to 2014
Genital gonorrhea case reports in BC by age group and gender, 2014
Infectious Syphilis
In 2014, the provincial rate of infectious syphilis decreased slightly to 11.9 per 100,000 population, continuing a steady increase since 2011.
- The highest rates of infection were in Vancouver, Fraser North and North Shore/Coast Garibaldi Health Service Delivery Areas.
- More than 95% of cases were male, with the highest rates observed in males aged 25-39 years. A slight increase in female cases was identified in 2014.
- The majority of cases (52%) were among people identified as Caucasian.
- Men who have sex with men (MSM) continued to comprise the greatest number of new infectious syphilis cases in BC (85%). Among MSM cases where HIV status is known, 60% were co-infected with HIV.
Infectious syphilis rates in BC and Canada, 1991 to 2014
Infectious syphilis case reports in BC by age group and gender, 2014
For more information
For a detailed description of STI trends in 2014, please visit the BCCDC website to view the 2014 STI Annual Report.