British Columbia health authorities are tackling the highest number of syphilis cases in 30 years, say Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) officials.
In 1995, there were seven cases in B.C. Last year, 561 cases were recorded throughout the province – 190 more than in 2012. Approximately 86 per cent of those were diagnosed by Vancouver Coastal Health, the authority responsible for delivering health resources to more than one million people in Lower Mainland and outlying communities including the Sea to Sky Corridor.
The latest outbreak has occurred within the community of men who have sex with men (males who engage in sexual activity with members of the same sex, regardless of how they identify themselves sexually), VCH medical health officer Dr. Reka Gustafson said, noting that could change quickly.
“There is no biological reason why this couldn’t move to a different sexual culture,” she said.
The 40 to 59 age bracket is being hit hardest, but that doesn’t mean the younger generations aren’t at risk, Gustafson noted.
“It doesn’t mean that trend can’t change,” she emphasized. “It is just really important that young people and old people get tested.”
Syphilis is a highly contagious disease spread primarily by sexual activity. Many people who become infected don’t realize they have syphilis, Gustafson said. In 2013, the majority of all diagnosed cases in VCH were picked up through blood testing many weeks after people showed initial systems, when the infection became latent with no symptoms.
The cure for syphilis is fairly basic, Gustafson said. The disease can be cured with penicillin.
“There is no reason not to be tested,”
she said.
Common early symptoms of syphilis include painless ulcers or sores resembling bug bites on genitalia, rashes on the palms and soles, fever, swollen lymph glands and weight loss. If left untreated, these symptoms disappear and syphilis then enters an asymptomatic or latent stage, which can eventually lead to permanent blindness, hearing loss, deep bone pain and neurological problems. Severe cases of the disease can be fatal.
To locate the nearest testing clinic, access the clinic finder at www.smartsexresource.com.
