Gonorrhea

[Table of Contents]

Volume: 25S1 - May 1999

Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Canada: 1996 Surveillance Report
(with Preliminary 1997 Data)

The epidemiology in Canada of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, nationally notifiable since 1940, is encouraging. The overall incidence rate of reported gonorrhea in Canada has decreased from 216.6 per 100,000 in 1980 to 16.8 per 100,000 in 1996 (Figure 6, Appendices 2.1-2.2). This more than 10-fold decrease has made elimination a realistic goal for locally transmitted gonococcal infections by the year 2010⁽⁷⁾.

Young people between the ages of 15 and 24 years made up half (50.4%) of all cases of gonorrhea in 1996. Among males, the highest incidence rate from 1980 to 1996 was invariably found in the 20-24 year age group, and the same was true for females from 1980 to 1984. However, from 1985 to 1996 the highest incidence rate of gonorrhea among females was consistently found in the 15-19 year age group (Figure 7), indicating a shift in peak incidence towards younger females. The sex differential is illustrated by the male to female ratio of 1:2.5 for youth aged 15-19 in 1996.

FIGURE 6 Reported Gonorrhea Rates¹ in Canada, 1980 to 1997²

FIGURE 6 Reported Gonorrhea Rates1 in Canada, 1980 to 1997

¹ Rate per 100,000 population. Population estimates provided by Statistics Canada. ² 1997 numbers are preliminary and are expected to change

FIGURE 7 Reported Gonorrhea Rates¹ in Canada by Age and Sex, 1996

FIGURE 7 Reported Gonorrhea Rates1 in Canada by Age and Sex, 1996

¹ Rate per 100,000 population. Population estimates provided by Statistics Canada.

Rates of gonococcal infection vary among provinces and territories: Figure 8 shows the regional distribution of gonorrhea in 1996.

FIGURE 8 Reported Gonorrhea Rates¹ in Canada by Province/Territory and Sex, 1996

FIGURE 8 Reported Gonorrhea Rates1 in Canada by Province/Territory and Sex, 1996

¹ Rate per 100,000 population. Population estimates provided by Statistics Canada

Resistant strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Current data show a changing pattern regarding resistant strains of N. gonorrhoeae, as reported by the National Laboratory for STD (Table 1). Before 1991, most of the strains received by the National Laboratory were identified as plasmid-mediated, penicillinase-producing N. gonorrhoeae (PPNG). In the last 4 to 5 years, however, strains resistant to tetracycline (TRNG) have been increasing, to become the predominant type.

Table 1 Antimicrobial resistant N. gonorrhoeae laboratory specimens in Canada, 1986-1996

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	Last Updated: 2002-11-08		Important Notices