Number of sexually transmitted infections decreases in Alberta

EDMONTON – Government numbers suggest Alberta’s rate of sexually transmitted infections is on the decline for the first time since 2004.

A newly released report says just under 16,300 cases were reported in 2010.

That’s down almost 1,000 cases from a peak in 2009.

The report also shows there were 192 newly diagnosed cases of HIV in 2010 compared with 219 cases the year before.

The report comes eight months after the province announced it would spend $14 million on increased testing and on a public awareness campaign.

Health officials admitted at the time that they were losing the war against the highest rate of sexually transmitted infections in Canada.

Alberta chief medical officer, Dr. André Corriveau, says early indications are that the campaign, which features edgy ads with infected teens, is working and has resulted in more people getting tested.

Officials also credit a change in staffing and more focus on treatment with bringing the rates down.