Untreatable gonorrhea may be on the horizon in Canada. Here’s why
Global News
As gonorrhea rates continue to climb in Canada, health officials are warning the infection is also developing more resistance to antibiotics.
As gonorrhea rates continue to climb in Canada, health officials are warning the infection is also becoming more resistant to antibiotics, which could lead to the possibility of the sexually transmitted infection (STI) becoming untreatable.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said in a media release on Monday that several countries, including Canada, are witnessing a growing number of treatment failures for gonorrhea.
Gonorrhea, a common STI, is easily treated with modern drugs, such as ceftriaxone. However, a particular strain of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacteria responsible for causing gonorrhea, has developed a significant level of resistance to ceftriaxone and other antibiotics, like penicillin.
“Gonorrhea rates in Canada and globally have been increasing for many years,” said Dr. Ameeta Singh, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Alberta. “And every antibiotic that has been used to treat gonorrhea, it has developed resistance to rendering the antibiotic ineffective within a few years of starting to use it.”
Antimicrobial resistance in gonorrhea remains an important public health concern in Canada, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
“Overall rates of gonococcal infection are increasing in Canada and it is more prevalent among adolescents and young adults,” a PHAC spokesperson told Global News in an email Tuesday. “Its’ causative agent, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, has acquired resistance or displayed decreased susceptibility to many antibiotics, leading to the possible emergence of untreatable gonorrhea in Canada.”
The symptoms of gonorrhea vary, but many with the infection, especially females, may have no symptoms at all, according to PHAC.
Symptoms in men may include a burning sensation when urinating, yellowish and/or white discharge from the penis, burning or itching at the opening of the penis and painful or swollen testicles.
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running Game
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing Game
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic Game
Some salami products under the Rea and Bona brands are being recalled in Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario over concerns of potential salmonella contamination.
The barrier on the south side of the tri-community will be removed on Thursday at 8 a.m., the same time the evacuation order will lift.
Many communities in the province remained under an air quality warning on Tuesday while special air quality statements were issued for others.
B.C.'s first blast of summer-like weather has triggered weather advisories for much of the southern part of the province as well as air quality advisories linked to wildfires.
Gabriella Patey, 31, was initially told her breast tumour was benign. Later, she was told she had terminal cancer. A third call informed her it was all a terrible mistake.
Physicians criticized the move to oust members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which reports to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Air quality has improved in much of Quebec and Ontario, but wildfire smoke continues to affect parts of the Prairies, northern Ontario, and eastern Quebec.
The judges referred the lawyers in both cases to their professional regulators, but did not take more serious action.
Health Canada has issued a warning to consumers not to inhale nitrous oxide for recreational purposes as instances are on the rise and carry many health risks, including death.
The spiny creature found itself in Kelowna earlier this week, after the wreckage of a plane it had nested in was transported to the Okanagn from northern B.C.
Some of crypto’s key characteristics help explain why wealthy individuals who hold a lot of digital assets can be ripe targets for such attacks.
Tens of thousands of window-mounted air conditioner units are being recalled in Canada, with the federal government warning some affected units have a risk of mould growth.
The video was taken on Highway 16 between Prince Rupert and Terrace shows a black bear family, including a young spirit bear, heading into the forest.