The Northwestern Health Unit confirms an increase in cases of HIV or AIDS in the Kenora area in the past few months.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kit Young Hoon says their figures are a little different that what was reported by a local doctor
last week in a presentation to Kenora City Council.
“The Northwestern Health Unit uses provincial standards for reporting of case numbers,” explains Dr. Young Hoon.
“So we only report on confirmed cases. Dr. Grek maybe basing his numbers on other clinical information, including preliminary testing, to points of care tests, which then require follow up confirmatory tests.”
Dr. Grek told Kenora City Council last week that there were 15 cases of HIV or AIDS in the last eight months.
According to the Health Unit there have been 9 confirmed cases in Kenora last year compared to just eight from 2013 to 2021.
Dr. Young Hoon notes that interventions like the needle distribution program and condom use are key to preventing the spread of HIV.
“With the long-standing higher rates of HIV in Manitoba and Thunder Bay, we have been anticipating an increase in HIV cases for over a decade. Key prevention strategies include consistent and proper condom use, as well as ensuring single use and no sharing of needles and drug preparation equipment.”
The Health Unit adds that HIV is a virus that is spread through certain bodily fluids including blood, semen, vaginal, and anal fluids. HIV cannot be spread through casual contact (hugging, kissing), or through touching common surfaces such as those found in public washrooms.
