This is the dashboard report on HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI) trends in for the second quarter of 2017 (Apr – June 2017). These reports are posted quarterly to provide a snapshot of HIV and STIs in British Columbia.
The dashboard below describes the numbers of HIV and STI cases reported to public health in the second quarter (Q2) of 2017. The risk factor categories for HIV (MSM, PWID and HET; see table below for definitions) are from the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2016 due to expected reporting delays.
HIV
There have been 100 new HIV diagnoses in BC so far in 2017, which is fewer compared to the same time period in 2016. Aside from 2015Q2, this quarter is one of the lowest reported new HIV diagnoses in the past 5 years.
The number of cases among men (n=91) decreased slightly compared to 2016Q1-2. However, the increase is within the usual fluctuation of HIV diagnoses for the past 5 years. The number of cases among women decreased. This is consistent with the decreasing trend of HIV cases among women over the past decade.
The number of new HIV diagnoses among heterosexual individuals decreased in 2016Q1-4 compared to 2015Q1-4. The number of new HIV diagnoses among PWID and MSM remain stable. Note, only 2016Q1-4 is presented due to reporting delays.
Chlamydia
There have been 7,778 cases of chlamydia reported in 2017 thus far, which is a 1% increase from this time period in 2016. Overall, this is a smaller increase than in 2016 but consistent with the average year-to-year increase in chlamydia cases over the past decade.
Gonorrhea
The number of gonorrhea cases in BC in 2017 was relatively stable (n=1,578), compared to the same time period in 2016 (n=1,722). Overall, gonorrhea cases have increased in the previous 4 years but we project a slight dip in cases this year.
Infectious Syphilis
There have been 322 cases of infectious syphilis reported in BC for 2017, which is a drop from 397 cases at this time in 2016. The number of cases among females decreased by 11% for 2017 compared to this time in 2016, while the number of cases among males decreased by 20%.
MSM continue to be the group disproportionately affected by infectious syphilis. However, along with the overall drop in male cases this quarter, a similar decrease (17%) among MSM was noted.