HALIFAX– Public Health authorities in Nova Scotia have declared an outbreak of syphilis in the province, stating the number of reported cases has more than doubled in two years.
The Nova Scotia Health Authority says 82 cases of syphilis were reported in the province in 2015, compared to 50 cases in 2018, and 38 cases in 2017.
The cases have been identified in people aged 20 to 65 and up. While most cases have been reported in males, health officials state there seems an increase in reported cases amongst women, with women representing 20 per cent of cases in 2019, compared to 10 per cent in 2018, and 5 percent in 2017. They state this trend is consistent with the pattern seen in other jurisdictions throughout Canada.
Syphilis is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection contracted through vulnerable vaginal, oral or anal sex. It can trigger severe and irreversible damage to the body– or even death– if left unattended.
Health officials state having unprotected sex increases the threat of contracting syphilis and other STIs, while safe-sex practices, such as using condoms and oral dams, can help prevent STIs like syphilis. They also advise getting tested.
“More secure sex practices and getting checked for syphilis can help decrease the variety of syphilis cases we are seeing in Nova Scotia presently,” said Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed, Nova Scotia’s deputy medical officer of health, in a news release.
“Understanding your status for sexually transmitted infections, including syphilis, is actually important for our health and also the health of others.”
Signs of syphilis may initially appear 10 to 90 days after a person ends up being contaminated, with the average time period being 21 days. While some people might not have any symptoms, others might experience open sores at the point of infection, flu-like illness, muscle pains and pains, tiredness, or a rash on their chest, back, palms of their hands and bottoms of their feet.
Syphilis is treatable with antibiotics.
Watson-Creed says it’s crucial for people to be able to find the indications of signs or syphilis, use security for sex, and get evaluated for syphilis and other STIs, if they are at danger.
“Being informed, acting and protecting yourself are the best steps today,” she said. “Please get tested if you think you are at risk.”
This isn’t the first time a syphilis break out has been declared in the province; a break out was stated in the Halifax location in 2009, hitting a peak in 2013 with 84 cases that year.
Anyone with concerns or concerns about syphilis is urged to call their health-care service provider or regional Public Health office.
This content was originally published here.