HIV cases increase 36% in Saskatoon Health Region

The Saskatoon Health Region says the number of HIV diagnoses are on the rise.

As of last week, the region reported 45 new cases of the immunovirus diagnosed this year. In 2014, the health region reported 33 new cases.

The health region said the main driver of the increase seems to be coming from sexual transmission of the virus. The region noted an increase in both male-female and male-male relationships.

The region said part of the increase in cases can be attributed to more people in the area getting tested for HIV. Between 2011 and 2014, HIV blood tests have gone up by 58 percent.

"The Region's increase in HIV rates is due in part to the increase in testing," said Deputy Medical Health Officer Dr. Johnmark Opondo in a news release. "It's important to know your HIV status as early as possible, because treatment has advanced and HIV is now a treatable disease. With early diagnosis, and immediate and ongoing treatment, people with HIV can live long and healthy lives."

Meanwhile, the proportion of cases tied to injection drug use has decreased over the past five years, although the health region said IV drugs continue to be a serious factor. As well, the health region said the percentage of HIV positive First Nations and Metis people is on the decline, in comparison to people of other ethnicities.

Opondo said it's very important to detect HIV as soon as possible, making testing very important.

"People who are HIV positive who have been diagnosed for a longer period have had more time to receive antiretroviral treatment," he said. "When almost four out of 10 people have undetectable viral loads, it indicates that treatment uptake is improving; however, we would like to see it get closer to 100 per cent."

The region released the information as part of World AIDS Day.