Manitoba declares public health emergency over HIV

Maralee speaks with Dr. Stuart Skinner about a new program aimed at addressing rising rates of HIV and syphilis in the prairie provinces.

Manitoba is declaring a public health emergency over HIV infection rates.

Dr. Brent Roussin, the province’s chief provincial public health officer, made the declaration during a news conference Thursday morning.

“Manitoba continues to experience some of the highest rates of HIV in Canada,” he said.

Roussin said in 2024, the province had an infection rate of 19.5 cases per 100,000 people, roughly 3.5 times the national HIV infection rate of 5.5 cases per 100,000 people.

Roussin said last year, 328 new HIV cases were reported in Manitoba.

This is a developing story. More details to come.

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