It may have been overshadowed by the pandemic but New Brunswick still has an outbreak of gonorrhea and cases have been rising this year.
The outbreak was first announced in April 2019.
Chief medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell emphasized the importance of having safe sex.
“Anyone having unprotected sex is encouraged to get tested,” said Russell.
“I know that it sometimes takes courage to choose to get tested, but it is incredibly important you do, especially since it is not uncommon for someone to have more than one sexually transmitted infection at a time.”
During the first half of 2021, 74 cases of gonorrhea were reported in the province while the annual average is 54.
“Sexually transmitted infections can have lasting effects on a person’s health and getting tested frequently and treated when necessary should be part of your routine health checkup,” said Russell.
“This helps to prevent further complications like infertility and helps stop the transmission of the infection to someone else.”
Russell added people with sexual partners, regardless of sexual orientation, may have been exposed to gonorrhea without their knowledge.
Anyone who believes they may have been exposed – even without having symptoms – should contact their doctor or a Public Health office.
