The Chief Medical Officer of Health has declared a provincial outbreak of gonorrhea in the province.
A total of 96 cases were reported to Regional Public Health last year. 20 have already been reported in the first quarter this year.
The previous average over 5 years was only 54 cases.
Dr. Jennifer Russell says those having sex with multiple partners, may have been exposed to the infection without their knowledge.
Gonorrhea is caused by a bacteria, virus or parasite that is passed through unprotected sexual contact.
She says this serves as a reminder to New Brunswickers of the importance of safe sex practices.
“Testing for sexually transmitted infections should be part of everyone’s routine health checkups,” says Russell.
“Getting tested and treated appropriately can prevent further complications such as infertility. It also helps to stop the transmission of the disease to someone else.”
