LATEST STORIES:
Health officials in Canada warn of increasing rise in cases of syphilis

Health officials in Canada are sounding the alarm over the rising number of cases of syphilis in the country, saying there’s been a 109 per cent increase in cases of the infectious strain over the past four years.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection that if left untreated can cause serious health problems in the heart, brain, blood vessels and nervous system.
Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, Theresa Tam, says there were 13,953 cases of infectious syphilis in 2022, representing a doubling in cases compared to 2018.
There were also 117 cases of early congenital syphilis in 2022, a particularly serious condition that occurs when syphilis is transmitted from a pregnant person to their baby.
READ MORE: Ontario’s top doctor warns of potential measles outbreaks as cases increase abroad
The public health agency of Canada says people may become infected without knowing it since not everyone develops noticeable symptoms of syphilis, particularly in the early stages of infection.
This makes it easier for the infection to spread undetected, reinforcing the importance of early testing, diagnosis and treatment. The earlier you start treatment, the better your health outcomes.
Sexually active individuals with new or multiple partners are encouraged to be screened for syphilis, and they can also reduce their risk by practicing safe sex using condoms.