CALGARY – New cases of HIV are rising in Alberta, but advocates believe there are many others with the disease who don’t know they’re infected.
“We know, according to data, 25 per cent of people living with HIV do not know their status,” said Joshua McLeod, Support Services Team Leader for HIV Community Link in Calgary. “What that means for us is that regular access to testing and regular testing for people is very, very important.”
McLeod said having a public figure like Charlie Sheen reveal his HIV status helps remove stigma and works to encourage others to get tested.
“I think that’s an important thing that gets people talking about HIV.”
“It was very courageous for him to come out in public,” said McLeod, “and I think it’s great to encourage people to acknowledge their status and go and get testing.”
READ MORE: HIV rates still rising in Canada but treatment is simpler, safer and effective
According to Alberta Health’s latest surveillance report, new cases of HIV have increased significantly since 2005.
Scroll down to read the full report.
In 2013, there were 255 new cases compared to 174 eight years prior. Most of the new infections were in Edmonton and Calgary.
Between 2005 and 2013, the Caucasian ethnic group has consistently represented the largest proportion of newly diagnosed HIV cases. There were also more cases involving men compared to women.
The report also found immigration played a large role among female HIV cases in Alberta. In 2013, nearly 55 per cent of all female infections involved people coming from an HIV endemic country who were exposed to HIV through heterosexual contact.
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