Increased HIV cases in Nova Scotia
Public Health and its clinical partners have observed an increase in people newly diagnosed with HIV in Nova Scotia. Normally, Public Health expects to see approximately 15-20 new cases of HIV in Nova Scotia during an entire year. This year, by the end of August, Public Health had 20-25 new cases. This new information could not be previously confirmed based on the data available at the time. It should be noted data is subject to change due to changes in case status, delays in reporting, and/or data validation. This may also explain changes in the number of reported cases in previous months for some diseases. Please interpret the provided data with caution. Public Health supports contact tracing for people newly diagnosed with HIV, but some contacts are anonymous. This is why it’s important to get tested and know your status if you are part of a population at increased risk of HIV acquisition. People newly diagnosed with HIV have been primarily traced back to social circles based in Halifax Regional Municipality, although live throughout the province. As part of the case investigation, the most prominent risk factors identified are men having sex with men and people who use drugs, including people who share drug equipment. Prevention Public Health encourages those who are at increased risk for HIV acquisition to take these steps:- Get tested to know your HIV status. Limit your sexual partners until you know your status.
- Use a latex condom every time you have sex, including oral and anal sex.
- Don’t share needles and syringes used to inject drugs, steroids, vitamins, or for tattooing or body piercing. Also, don’t share equipment ("works") used to prepare drugs to be injected.
- Don’t share razors, sex toys, or toothbrushes because of the possibility of contact with blood.
- If possible, keep a way to reach your sexual partners so they can be informed of potential exposure to HIV should you test positive.
- Have multiple sex partners (serial or concurrent) and/or anonymous sexual partnering.
- Cisgender or transgender queer man, a two-spirit person or a non-binary person who has sexual contact with a cisgender or transgender queer man, a two-spirit person or a non-binary person.
- Have or have recently had a sexually transmitted infection, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, or genital herpes.
- Inject drugs or steroids, especially if you share needles, syringes, cookers, pipes, or other drug-consumption equipment.
- Have had tattooing, piercing, or acupuncture with unsterilized equipment.
- Have high-risk partner(s), especially partners who inject drugs, partners with multiple sexual partners, or male partners who have sex with men.
CENTRAL ZONE
Halifax Sexual Health Centre 7071 Bayers Rd., Suite 302, Halifax 902-455-9656 https://hshc.ca/ QEII STI Clinic 5th floor Dickson Building, QEII 5820 University Avenue, Halifax 902-473-2272 https://www.nshealth.ca/service-details/STI%20and%20STD%20Clinic Clayton Park STI Clinic Dr. Michelle Ciach 310-255 Lacewood Dr., Halifax 902-450-0008 Newcomer Health Clinic Resource for government assisted refugees, privately sponsored refugees and refugee claimants in the greater Halifax area. Mumford Professional Centre 6960 Mumford Rd., Suite 0265 (main floor), Halifax 902-487-0501 https://www.nshealth.ca/content/newcomer-health-clinic Wije’winen Health Centre Resource for Indigenous people residing in Halifax Regional Municipality 2021 Brunswick St., Suite 209, Halifax 902-406-0851 https://mymnfc.com/event/wijewinen-health-centre/EASTERN ZONE
Ally Centre of Cape Breton 150 Bentinck St., Sydney 902-567-0178 https://www.allycentreofcapebreton.com/services/#healthNORTHERN ZONE
Truro Sexual Health Centre Fundy Trail Mall - Suite 130 68 Robie St., Truro 902-956-1550 https://trurosexualhealth.com/WESTERN ZONE
The Red Door 10 Webster St., Suite 203, Kentville 902-679-1411 https://thereddoor.ca/services/ Tri-County Wellness Clinic 12 Cumberland St., Yarmouth 902-742-1790 http://www.tricountywomenscentre.org/wellness-clinic.html If you have a history of recent HIV exposure or multiple anonymous sexual contacts, please contact Public Health at 1-902-481-5824 to facilitate the appropriate testing to rule out an acute HIV infection. Please leave a voicemail and include your name and phone number for a call back. Safer Drug Supply Resources Mainline Needle Exchange – Harm Reduction Program 5367 Cogswell St., Halifax Office: 902-423-9991 Central Outreach (HRM): 902-830-3853 Provincial Outreach: 902-210-4205 Community Outreach: 902-830-9419 https://mainlineneedleexchange.ca/ Peer N Peer - Harm Reduction for 2SLGBTQIA+ Communities AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia 5516 Spring Garden Rd., Suite 203, Halifax Andrew Thomas, Peer N Peer Coordinator peerc@acns.ns.ca 902-403-9237 https://acns.ns.ca/progs-services/peer-n-peer.html Additional Helpful Resources AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia: https://acns.ns.ca/info-resources/testing HIV General Information: https://novascotia.ca/dhw/CDPC/cdc/documents/HIV-General-Information.pdf Nova Scotia Advisory Commission on AIDS FAQ: https://novascotia.ca/aids/faq.asp HIV Testing & Reporting in Nova Scotia: https://novascotia.ca/dhw/CDPC/documents/06027-HIV-Testing-and-Reporting.pdf
