Nova Scotia sees spike in newly diagnosed HIV cases: Health Authority

Dr. Trevor Arnason says Nova Scotia would normally see about 15 to 17 reports of HIV in an entire year, but the province has already come close to those numbers just halfway through 2018. (Shutterstock)

HALIFAX —  The medical officer of health with the Nova Scotia Health Authority says the province is experiencing a spike in reports of newly diagnosed HIV cases.

Dr. Trevor Arnason says Nova Scotia would normally see about 15 to 17 reports of HIV in an entire year, but the province has already come close to those numbers just halfway through 2018.

He says the Nova Scotia Health Authority is trying to determine why.

Arnason added he would like providers and other health-care workers to be aware of the increase so they can encourage testing among patients.

HIV is a blood-borne and sexually transmitted disease that can eventually lead to AIDS.

British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario, and Saskatchewan publicly fund pre-exposure prophylaxis, a drug that is highly effective at preventing HIV.