HPEPH remains in syphilis & gonorrhea outbreak – HCPs encouraged to facilitate testing of patients
Hastings and Prince Edward Counties continue to experience high rates of syphilis and gonorrhea. The local rate of gonorrhea (GC) is exceeding the provincial average with 80 reported cases in 2020 and 84 in 2021. This is a significant increase compared to pre-COVID 5-year average of 39.2 cases per year, even during a period of time when access to STI testing was reduced. Infectious syphilis reached an unprecedented outbreak level in 2021 with 16 reported cases in HPE, much higher than previous average of 4.6 per year. Although syphilis rates across Ontario, and within HPE, are increasing predominately in population of men who have sex with men (MSM), heterosexual males and females are also being impacted. This includes an increase in reported cases of congenital syphilis in Canada, offering a reminder of the importance of baseline testing in pregnant females.
Possible increase in STI testing requests
Health care providers may see an increase in clients seeking sexually transmitted infection testing due to a recent media release issued by HPEPH. Due to decreased access to routine testing throughout the pandemic and increasing rates of reportable STIs, HPEPH is encouraging anyone who has had condomless sex to seek testing.
Health care providers are encouraged to offer testing for any patients who could be at risk, regardless of gender, relationship status, or symptoms. Individuals from a variety of age groups, relationship statuses, and sexual orientation are testing positive in HPE – meaning that anyone who is having condomless sex could be at risk. Please consult with your patients about potential risk of spread through unprotected oral, vaginal and anal sex or sharing of sex toys.
Guidelines for the Testing, Treatment and Management of Sexually Transmitted/Blood Borne Infections can be found online at:
Accessing treatment
Health Care Providers can order publicly funded (no cost) STI medications from HPEPH by using the HPEPH Vaccine/STI form available online at hpePublicHealth.ca. Benzathine penicillin G (Pen G) may be ordered directly from the HPEPH Sexual Health Program (613-966-5500 x 418) for patients once a completed Syphilis Surveillance Report Form is returned.
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health sexual health services
HPEPH offers telephone and appointment based sexual health services for the following high priority populations:
- Indigenous persons
- LGBTQ2S+ including gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men
- Persons engaging in sex work
- Persons under 25 without access to youth friendly health care provider
- Persons who have tested positive for STI/BBI or are a named contact of STI/BBI and do not have timely access to a health care provider
- Anyone who has, or has sexual partners who have, lived in or been from Africa or the Caribbean
- Anyone who uses illicit drugs or shares drug equipment or paraphernalia
- Anyone requesting low-cost birth control dispensing (>25 requires prescription from own health care provider)
- Anyone requesting emergency contraception at low cost
Temporary STI drop-in screening clinics
During the month of April, HPEPH is offering a temporary quick test clinic program for anyone who wants to be screened for chlamydia and gonorrhea and is without symptoms of STI’s. Anyone with symptoms is encouraged to seek care through their own HCP or walk in clinic for complete assessment.
Drop-in clinics will be held at the Belleville HPEPH Office, 179 North Park Street, on Monday, April 11, and 25 from 12 to 3:30 p.m. Appointments are not required.
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