Reports on the CBC last month regarding incidents of HIV infection in Saskatchewan, and by extension in the Kamsack area, are more a reflection of a healthy community than a cause for concern, Mayor Nancy Brunt said last week.
Brunt was referring to an email which town council had read during its regular meeting of October 23 from Candace Nelson, who had provided information on the outreach program and the HIV situation in Kamsack.
“The good news is people with HIV who are compliant with treatment have minimal risk of transmitting the virus,” Brunt said, quoting the letter. “We are best able to connect people with treatment and supports once we know they are HIV positive.”
“We have heard there may be concern in the community about this article (on CBC) and what it means for Kamsack,” the letter said. “It is our hope that we are able to reassure the community this 800 per cent increase does not mean Kamsack is no longer a thriving town; in fact, the opposite. We have accurate numbers and are treating existing cases, which will decrease transmission and prevent new cases of HIV in the community.”
The reports in question said that the number of new HIV cases in the province peaked in 2009 at 199. After decreasing for five consecutive years, the number of new cases in 2016 was back up to 170, an increase of six per cent over 2015.
Saskatchewan has the highest rates of HIV in Canada, with 2,091 cases reported between 1985 and 2016 and the number of new cases in the province is “almost triple the national average.”
Sunrise Health Region had an 800 per cent spike in new HIV cases in 2016, it said. In Saskatchewan 16 out of 100,000 people have HIV.
“Among residents of the three First Nations around Kamsack there are 117 cases out of every 100,000; however it is worth noting that according to Sunrise Health Region’s 2014/15 annual report there are only approximately 59,551 Saskatchewan residents in the entire health region.
“These stats can be scary, but hter are some positive things worth noting,” the letter said.
Overall, the numbers in Saskatchewan are down, it said. Sunrise did have an increase of 800 per cent but this is due to the three HIV testing sessions with record number of patients.
In the past, Sunrise had an average of two new cases per year and, due to increased testing, 18 new cases in 2016.
“This does not necessarily mean the numbers were low and then jumped, but rather, with the record numbers of testing, we now have more accurate number s of HIV cases in Sunrise.”
According to the Government of Canada, an estimated 21 per cent of people living with HIV are undiagnosed.
The Kamsack Outreach Program, a branch of the Society for the Involvement of Good Neighbours (SIGN), helps individuals and families navigate services or supports and creates a community of vibrant people.
“It is our mission to increase awareness, address risk factors and provide support for those at risk for HIV and Hep C in Kamsack and surrounding areas.”
