Health Alert: Rise in Chlamydia Cases in Brantford-Brant
Out of over 70 infectious diseases of public health significance in Brantford-Brant, chlamydia is on the rise. At a recent Brant County Health Unit meeting, the manager of infectious diseases, Filip Pajtondziev, highlighted the top concerns in the area. Apart from chlamydia, influenza, gonorrhea, latent tuberculosis, and hepatitis C are also on the list.
Chlamydia has consistently been the most prevalent infection in the area, with a significant increase in cases last year. In addition, Lyme disease cases saw a significant spike, along with other tick-related illnesses like anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan virus.
While cases of latent tuberculosis nearly doubled, not all cases lead to active tuberculosis. Education and community awareness are vital in combating these diseases. The report also mentioned the increase in hepatitis C cases and the need for addressing the stigma associated with syphilis.
It is crucial for the community to stay informed and take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of these infections.
**Biography:**
Celeste Percy-Beauregard is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter based at the Hamilton Spectator. The initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.