New Brunswick's top doctor concerned as gonorrhea rates continue to rise
New Brunswick’s chief medical officer of health says gonorrhea rates are on the rise in the province, and that’s cause for concern.
“What’s really concerning is there were five times more confirmed cases in 2021 compared to the year before,” says Dr. Jennifer Russell, the chief medical officer of health in New Brunswick.
Confirmed cases of the sexually transmitted infection increased from 54 in 2020 to 254 in 2021 in New Brunswick, according to Russell.
Just a few months into 2022, the province has already recorded 64 cases.
“Gonorrhea is with us right now. It is circulating, like I said, in that age group of 20 to 39 in particular,” says Russell. “So, it’s really important to get tested, especially if you have symptoms, and you can even have gonorrhea without symptoms.”
With the rapid increase in cases, the province is encouraging New Brunswickers to get tested, which can be done either with a urine test or through swabbing.
If untreated, gonorrhea can lead to infertility in women – and in rare cases, in men.
However, the executive director of AIDS New Brunswick says, along with public messaging, greater education of sexually transmitted infections is also an important component, as is greater accessibility to things like contraception.
“There are still challenges accessing condoms for free, accessing dental dams especially, which are very hard to come by in the province,” says Amanda Diggins, the executive director of AIDS New Brunswick.
“As well, we had someone today calling and saying that they have no idea where to get sexual health testing, so making sure that that’s really accessible because it can be a difficult process, especially if you’re in a more rural area.”
To get tested, the province says New Brunswickers should contact their local sexual health centre – a list, which includes the phone numbers of each centre, is available on the government’s website.
More information about gonorrhea is also available on the GNB website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada 'already past due' on NATO defence spending target: U.S. House intelligence committee chair Mike Turne
The chair of the United States House intelligence committee says Canada needs to accelerate its defence spending targets, especially with its military in 'desperate' need of investment.
Scurvy resurgence highlights issues of food insecurity in Canada's rural and remote areas
A disease often thought to only affect 18th century sailors is reemerging in Canada.
BCSPCA rescue cat caught in hunting snare prompts warning to pet owners
Donations are ramping up for a BCSPCA cat with a mangled paw after being caught in a hunting snare, one of a rising number of pets to fall prey to the hunting device.
These vascular risks are strongly associated with severe stroke, researchers say
Many risk factors can lead to a stroke, but the magnitude of risk from some of these conditions or behaviours may have a stronger association with severe stroke compared with mild stroke, according to a new study.
Trudeau calls violence in Montreal 'appalling' as NATO protest continues
Anti-NATO protesters gathered again in Montreal on Saturday to demand Canada withdraw from the alliance, a day after a demonstration organized by different groups resulted in arrests, burned cars and shattered windows.
Cher 'shocked' to discover her legal name when she applied to change it
Cher recalls a curious interlude from her rich and many-chaptered history in her new book 'Cher: The Memoir, Part One.'
Ants marching into spotlight as hobby of ant-keeping rise in popularity
They are tiny insects that are often overlooked or stepped on, but ants are marching not only into people’s backyards, but also their homes, as the popularity of ant-keeping rises in Canada.
U.S. Air Force says drones spotted near 3 bases in England last week
The U.S. Air Force says a number of small drones were detected last week around three bases in eastern England that are used by American forces.
Police thought this gnome looked out of place. Then they tested it for drugs
During a recent narcotics investigation, Dutch police said they found a garden gnome made of approximately two kilograms of MDMA.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Toronto
-
Walking pneumonia is on the rise in Canada, but what about Ontario?
Doctors and emergency rooms across Canada have said they are seeing an unusual rise in walking pneumonia cases, particularly in children, but what about here in Ontario?
-
'It's an optimistic space:' Inside Toronto's new drug withdrawal centre
Joshua Orson sits on the edge of a bed in a bright, clean room, thinking about his journey from addict to health-care worker.
-
Routes to avoid during the 120th Santa Claus Parade on Sunday
The 120th Santa Claus Parade is back in Toronto on Sunday and will bring along some road closures.
Calgary
-
Snowfall warning for Calgary and southern Alberta expected to continue throughout Saturday
A snowfall warning for Calgary remained in effect early Saturday morning and looks poised to be hanging around all weekend.
-
Andersson scores shootout winner, and the Flames hold off a late Wild comeback in 4-3 win
Rasmus Andersson scored the shootout winner and the Calgary Flames held off the Minnesota Wild 4-3 after blowing a two-goal lead late in the third period Saturday.
-
U.S. Air Force says drones spotted near 3 bases in England last week
The U.S. Air Force says a number of small drones were detected last week around three bases in eastern England that are used by American forces.
Edmonton
-
Hit-and-run driver wanted after pedestrian hit in southeast Edmonton
Police are looking for a hit-and-run driver after a pedestrian was hit on Thursday night.
-
U.S. Air Force says drones spotted near 3 bases in England last week
The U.S. Air Force says a number of small drones were detected last week around three bases in eastern England that are used by American forces.
-
Cher 'shocked' to discover her legal name when she applied to change it
Cher recalls a curious interlude from her rich and many-chaptered history in her new book 'Cher: The Memoir, Part One.'
Montreal
-
Montreal prepares to sell long-abandoned Empress theatre
The Empress Theatre, a nearly century-old landmark in Montreal's Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (NDG) neighbourhood, may soon be revitalized.
-
Santa Claus Parade draws crowds to downtown Montreal
Thousands gathered on René-Lévesque to welcome Santa Claus at this year’s festive parade. Choir groups, marching bands, dancers and more brought the holiday joy this year.
-
Quebec MNAs continue screen time consultations with students
Quebec's special commission on the impact of screen time and social media addiction among youth made a stop at Westmount High School this week, speaking directly with students about their habits and concerns.
Ottawa
-
NEW THIS MORNINGNEW THIS MORNING Indigenous boy donating hair to cancer patients, raising money for Kemptville hospital
While Beneshi Bloom is well-known for his long locks of hair on the Kemptville hockey rink, he's decided to trade his most distinct feature for two good causes.
-
Mixed reaction from Ottawa business owners, customers on GST exemption
Business owners say they've been left with questions about how a temporary tax exemption to the GST will work after the federal government announcement the policy last week.
-
Ottawa councillor violated Code of Conduct for daycare incident last summer, integrity commissioner concludes
The City of Ottawa's integrity commissioner has found West-Carleton March Coun. Clarke Kelly has violated the Code of Conduct for city officials and should be reprimanded following an altercation with a local daycare owner and staff last summer.
London
-
Two people airlifted, several taken to hospital due to collision
Two people have been airlifted to hospital following a serious collision in Norfolk County.
-
Easton Cowan needs a point Sunday to tie 55-game OHL point streak record
Easton Cowan of the London Knights needs just one point Sunday evening to tie a historic mark in the Ontario Hockey League.
-
South Bruce residents vote in favour of hosting nuclear waste project in narrow referendum
South Bruce residents narrowly voted in favour of plans to bury Canada’s most radioactive nuclear waste under their municipality on Monday.
Barrie
-
Car crashes into tree, two taken to hospital: OPP
An overnight crash in Tiny Township is under investigation, where a car allegedly crashed into a tree and both occupants were taken to hospital.
-
Two occupants escape kitchen fire
Emergency crews tended to a fire at a home in Alliston Saturday afternoon where the two occupants were evacuated safely.
-
Barrie magic mushroom dispensary closed after company announces its shuttering Ont. locations
The doors are locked and the OPEN sign is off on Friday at an illegal magic mushroom dispensary in downtown Barrie one day after FunGuyz announced it would shutter its 30 Ontario locations.
Northern Ontario
-
Northern Ont. First Nation files claim against Ontario and Newmont mining
Taykwa Tagamou Nation, a Cree First Nation located within Treaty 9, has filed a statement of claim against the Province of Ontario and Newmont, a mining company that owns properties in Timmins.
-
Senior killed in dog attack in northern Ont.
An 81-year-old was killed in a dog attack this week in Bonfield, Ont. Police believe three dogs were involved.
-
More carrots pulled from grocery store shelves in expanded recall for E. coli: CFIA
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has announced an expanded recall on carrots over risks of E. coli O121 contamination, according to a notice issued Friday.
Kitchener
-
Advocates push for anti-renoviction bylaws as Waterloo Region reports affordable housing progress
On National Housing Day, housing advocacy group ACORN continued to push for anti-renoviction bylaws.
-
Kitchener auto repair shop hosts fundraiser for children with disabilities, joined by hockey legend Wendel Clark
An auto repair shop based in Kitchener held a special fundraiser Saturday to help children and youth with physical disabilities, with former Maple Leafs captain Wendel Clark in attendance.
-
Laval wins Vanier Cup in Saturday game against Laurier
The Laval Rouge et Or won the coveted Vanier Cup against the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks, going 22-17.
Windsor
-
Two vehicle collisions in Essex County Saturday
The Essex OPP has confirmed two vehicle collisions in Essex County on County Road 42.
-
Charity produces record amounts of non-perishable food amidst rise in food insecurity
A Windsor-Essex charitable organization created a record amount of non-perishable food amidst an increase in food insecurity, both at home and abroad.
-
Annual Walkerville Holiday Walk kicks off holiday season
The annual Walkerville Holiday Walk rung in the festive season on Saturday, drawing in visitors for the holly jolly event.
Winnipeg
-
Winnipeg Ukrainians commemorate 91st anniversary of Holodomor as war rages on overseas
Members of Winnipeg’s Ukrainian community came together outside City Hall to remember the lives lost in the past, as well as those giving their lives in the current day.
-
Missing Neepawa senior found dead: RCMP
An 81-year-old man who went missing Friday has been found dead, Spruce Plains RCMP said.
-
Snowfall warning in effect for southwestern Manitoba
Some areas could expect snowfall totals of 15 to 25 centimetres.
Regina
-
Dinosaur discovery reveals more about ancient Saskatchewan
Researchers from McGill University have discovered a first of its kind fossil specimen for Saskatchewan.
-
Navy wife brings together local authors for inaugural book fair
Sixteen local authors and book publishers gathered Saturday for the first ever Regina Bookwyrm’s Book Fair, organized by a Navy wife.
-
City of Regina releases snowfall response plan ahead of next blast of wintery weather, snow routes declared
Many parts of Saskatchewan will be hit with another round of wintery weather on Saturday, and Regina is no exception, with up to 25 centimetres of snow expected to accumulate by Sunday.
Saskatoon
-
'I'm excited to take it on': Saskatoon businesses weigh in on GST exemption
Some local businesses say the federal government’s recent plan to pull back GST on several items is a positive initiative, but it should have been rolled out earlier in the holiday season.
-
Make A Wish kids get early holiday magic in Saskatoon
This holiday season, Make-A-Wish kids and their families are experiencing the magic of Christmas a little early at Saskatoon’s historic Hotel Bessborough.
-
Dinosaur discovery reveals more about ancient Saskatchewan
Researchers from McGill University have discovered a first of its kind fossil specimen for Saskatchewan.
Vancouver
-
BCSPCA rescue cat caught in hunting snare prompts warning to pet owners
Donations are ramping up for a BCSPCA cat with a mangled paw after being caught in a hunting snare, one of a rising number of pets to fall prey to the hunting device.
-
Widow of Chinese businessman who was executed for murder can sell her Vancouver house, court rules
A murder in China and a civil lawsuit in B.C. have been preventing the sale of multiple Vancouver homes, but one of them could soon hit the market after a court ruling.
-
Hundreds rally at Vancouver city hall calling for 'pause' to Broadway Plan
Hundreds of Vancouver residents gathered at city hall Saturday afternoon to urge councillors to "pause and rethink" the Broadway Plan.
Vancouver Island
-
BC Hydro says power almost fully restored after B.C. windstorms
British Columbia's electric utility says it has restored power to almost all customers who suffered outages during the bomb cyclone earlier this week, but strong wind from a new storm has made repairs difficult in some areas.
-
Fall legislative sitting scrapped in B.C. as Speaker Chouhan confirmed to serve again
There won't be a sitting of the British Columbia legislature this fall as originally planned.
-
Canada Post down eight million parcels amid strike as talk carry on over weekend
Canada Post says it has seen a shortage of more than eight million parcels amid an ongoing strike that has effectively shut down the postal system for nine days compared with the same period in 2023.
Kelowna
-
Man in hospital following targeted shooting in Kamloops
Police are appealing for information on a targeted shooting that resulted in the hospitalization of a man in Kamloops.
-
Police cleared of fault in fatal 2023 crash in B.C.'s Interior
British Columbia's independent police watchdog has cleared officers of wrongdoing in a crash where three people were killed south of Kamloops in July of last year.
-
B.C. woman sentenced for stealing $14K in funds raised for schoolkids
A B.C. woman who stole more than $14,000 in volunteer-raised funds that were supposed to be spent on school supplies and programs – including hot meals for vulnerable kids – won't spend any time in jail.
