Chlamydia cases up in Brantford-Brant
Out of more than 70 infectious diseases of public health significance (DOPHS), chlamydia is the most prevalent in Brantford-Brant.
At a Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) board meeting in May, Filip Pajtondziev, manager of infectious diseases for the health unit, presented the board with an overview of the infectious diseases “of greatest concern” in Brantford-Brant.
Influenza, gonorrhea, latent tuberculosis and hepatitis C round out the top five, while cases of Lyme disease were up dramatically in the area last year.
The report showed chlamydia, a sexually transmitted bacterial infection, had the greatest number of lab-confirmed infections in four of the past five years (influenza cases surged in 2022, bumping it down on the list).
After hovering at around 315 annually between 2020 and 2022, the number of chlamydia cases in the area jumped to 382 last year.
Lyme cases spike
While much lower in prevalence than chlamydia, laboratory-confirmed cases of Lyme disease rose to 32 last year from six in 2022 — a more than fivefold increase.
Plus, as a result of tick migration, three other tick-related diseases — anaplasmosis, babesiosis and Powassan virus — have been added to the province’s list of DOPHS, Pajtondziev told the board.
Several board members inquired about the possibility of spraying for ticks, but Pajtondziev said education and community awareness are the top defences at this time.
Jump in latent tuberculosis
The incidence of latent tuberculosis nearly doubled to 66 confirmed cases in 2023 from 36 a year earlier.
But, that doesn’t mean those cases evolved into active tuberculosis (TB), Pajtondziev told the board.
Latent tuberculosis signals that an individual has dormant TB germs in their system, which have the potential to become an active infection, according to the Canadian Lung Association’s website.
Pajtondziev told The Spectator that when someone tests positive for latent tuberculosis, they’re sent for a chest X-ray to rule out active TB and are assessed for signs, symptoms and risk factors for future tuberculosis reactivation.
“Most individuals do not require treatment with latent tuberculosis and are provided with education regarding how to monitor for symptoms and when to follow up with their health care provider,” he said.
Diseases of ‘greatest concern’
Lab-confirmed influenza cases hit a four-year high of 422 in 2022 before dropping to 181 last year.
Gonorrhea cases decreased to 80 in 2023 from 99 the previous year.
Hepatitis C cases increased to 55 in 2023 from 38 in 2022.
Syphilis cases nearly doubled, rising to 40 last year from 22 in 2022. Pajtondziev’s board report said continued physician education, as well as reducing the stigma surrounding syphilis, will be key in addressing the “emerging” disease.
Celeste Percy-Beauregard’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. The funding allows her to report on stories about Brant County. Reach her at cpercybeauregard@torstar.ca.
Celeste Percy-Beauregard, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Hamilton Spectator
