Albertans are being warned to practise safe sex after the province declared a provincial outbreak of syphilis yesterday.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the province's chief medical officer, issued the crisis warnings due to the rapidly rising cases of the infections disease.
"In response to the sharp rise in 2018, a provincial outbreak coordination committee composed of Alberta Health, Alberta Health Services (AHS) and other provincial health officials has been activated. 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," a news release issued by AHS reads.
Hinshaw stated it is paramount that Alberta who are sexually active recognize they are at risk of contracting the disease.
"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. I encourage anyone who is sexually active to get tested regularly. Anyone in Alberta can access STI testing and treatment for free," she said.
A total of 1,536 cases of infectious syphilis were reported in 2018 compared to 161 in 2014, almost a tenfold increase. The rate of infectious syphilis has not been this high in Alberta since 1948.
The symptoms of syphilis may go unnoticed and Albertans are encouraged to get tests if they are sexually active.
"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, have been sexually assaulted," stated the news release.
Syphilis facts:
- 2018 case counts for infectious syphilis by AHS zone:
- South Zone: 31 cases, an increase of 138.5 per cent compared to 2017
- Calgary Zone: 206 cases, an increase of 7.3 per cent compared to 2017
- Central Zone: 88 cases, an increase of 266.7 per cent compared to 2017
- Edmonton Zone: 977 cases, an increase of 305.4 per cent compared to 2017
- North Zone: 208 cases, an increase of 324.5 per cent compared to 2017
- For further breakdown of STI 2018 numbers, see the 2018 STI and HIV Summary Report.
