HIV cases rising in Alberta, sparking need for broad outreach, experts say

Doctors and front-line workers are watching closely as HIV rates increase significantly in Alberta.

An annual Alberta Health report reveals the number of new HIV cases jumped by 73 per cent last year, from 293 in 2022 to 507 in 2023.

Reported cases have nearly doubled since 2019.

"It's significant. It's the opposite direction that we hope HIV rates and infections are happening," said Dr. Caley Shukalek, a Calgary physician working in HIV and STI (sexually transmitted infection) prevention and treatment.

There are likely a number of factors contributing to this trend, including changing demographics, according to Shukalek.

While HIV still affects gay, bisexual, trans and other people who have sex with men, he's seeing increasing cases in the heterosexual community and among those who use injection drugs, particularly in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

And immigration is likely playing a role as well, he said.

Provincially, 54.8 per cent per cent of cases identified last year were acquired out of the country, compared to 43 per cent in 2022, the September 2024 report shows.

"As we see a larger influx of people into Canada we might see increases here. We also see people who are Canadians who travel abroad and come back," said Shukalek.

Sometimes HIV is discovered through testing during the immigration process, he noted.

"In particular, refugee claimants who come here and may not have had screening prior to arrival end up having screening … and new infections are found and subsequently treatment is started," said Shukalek.

Dr. Ameeta Singh said many of the newcomers she sees in her Edmonton practice are already being treated, regardless of where they come from.

"Oftentimes they're already suppressed with undetectable viral loads," said Singh, a clinical professor in the division of infectious diseases at the University of Alberta.

"So it is really just a matter of trying to incorporate them into our system and transition them to sometimes newer medications … and then provide other wraparound supports," she said.