Though Edmonton's youth are among those most at risk from the region's syphilis outbreak, nonprofit HIV Edmonton has scrapped its youth HIV and STD prevention programs due to a funding crisis. "We are not delivering programs for youth at this point" because HIV Edmonton is lacking the financial resources to do so, said the group's Executive Director Sherry McKibben.

HIV Edmonton's federal-provincial grant -- its main source of funding -- was cut very slightly this year to $450,000 (US$337,056). But increased costs associated with insurance, rent and other expenses are to blame for the funding crunch, McKibben said. "Over the past three years, we've lost four positions," she said, adding that the group now has 10 full-time staff. "We are working as hard and as fast as we can to get out the prevention message, but our capacity to address this is limited."

McKibben said her group has been working with Capital Health to heighten awareness to the syphilis outbreak. "We've been trying to do some outreach testing in the inner city" and continue partner tracing for those who test positive for syphilis, said Dr. Ameeta Singh of Capital Health's STD Centre. Investigations are ongoing, she said.

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