By Troy Gillard

huge jump in cases

Alberta declares province-wide outbreak of syphilis

Jul 16, 2019 | 3:50 PM

A rapid increase in syphilis cases has led Alberta’s chief medical officer of health declare a provincial outbreak.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw is also encouraging Albertans to get tested and protect themselves.

“We need to emphasize for all Albertans: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are a risk to anyone who is sexually active, particularly people who have new sex partners and are not using protection,” she says. “I encourage anyone who is sexually active to get tested regularly. Anyone in Alberta can access STI testing and treatment for free.”

A provincial outbreak coordination committee composed of Alberta Health, Alberta Health Services (AHS) and other provincial health officials has been activated. The province says that over the next three months, the committee will develop a coordinated strategy and determine concrete actions to increase STI testing, promote public awareness and reduce the overall number of syphilis cases in Alberta.

“Sexual health is an important part of overall health. We are working with community partners to remove stigma and increase awareness about STI testing services throughout Alberta,” Hinshaw added. “If you are sexually active, make regular STI testing part of your health routine.”

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In a release, the province says a total of 1,536 cases of infectious syphilis were reported in 2018 compared to 161 in 2014. The province says the rate of infectious syphilis has not been this high in Alberta since 1948.

In the Central Zone, there were 88 cases of syphilis in 2018, an increase of 266.7 per cent compared to 2017.

Congenital syphilis, which occurs when a child is born to a mother with syphilis, is a severe, disabling and life-threatening disease. While congenital syphilis cases were rare before the outbreak, there were 22 congenital syphilis cases between 2014 and 2018, one of which was stillborn.

Health experts recommend sexually active people, regardless of gender, age or sexual orientation, get tested every three to six months if they have a sexual partner with a known STI, have a new sexual partner or multiple or anonymous sexual partners, have previous history of an STI diagnosis, or have been sexually assaulted.

Prenatal care including syphilis testing is available for all Albertans, with officials saying it is critical that anyone who is pregnant seek early prenatal care and testing for syphilis.

Anyone experiencing STI-related symptoms should seek testing through their local health-care provider, Health Link at 811, visit a STI or sexual health clinic or speak to a family doctor to find testing and treatment options.

(With file from Government of Alberta media release)