Sexually-transmitted infections up on P.E.I.

Doctors on P.E.I. are seeing more cases of two sexually-transmitted diseases, and the province's chief health officer says the problem is people aren't protecting themselves.

Doctors all across Canada are seeing an increase in the number of patients with chlamydia, and the Island is no exception. The disease can cause painful inflammation of the genitals in both men and women.

There were 210 cases of chlamydia on P.E.I. last year, and health officials expect that many again this year. That's a 14 per cent increase over five years ago.

Chief Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison told CBC News Thursday people in their 20s simply aren't using condoms.

"Young people in particular, some of them don't realize that they need to use protection, that these sexually transmitted infections are prevalent in our community," said Morrison.

Doctors are reporting an outbreak of gonorrhea. Last year there were no reported cases, and this year there are nine. Morrison said the province is working to reverse the trend.

"More education, targeted at the right age groups, so that they are more aware of what can happen, and to try to protect themselves and reduce the risk factors," she said.

"That will mean a combination of things, working with other health care providers and in education field."

The Department of Health says STI transmission is not just on the rise for people in their 20s, but also for teenagers.