THUNDER BAY — While the number of confirmed cases of syphilis is on the rise across Canada, cases are rapidly increasing in the Thunder Bay region as well.
Kandace Belanger, manager of the sexual health program at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, said cases have increased to where it has become a significant public health issue.
The health unit is comparing current numbers to pre-pandemic data because access to testing declined during COVID-19.
"So what we've seen is that since 2019, which was the last pre-pandemic year to 2023, there's been a 5.8-fold increase in syphilis cases in the Thunder Bay District Health Unit area."
Belanger believes lack of awareness is contributing to higher case numbers.
"They think it's an old disease that's been eradicated. It can be very challenging that way when it's not on the radar. So, awareness is really important."
She was hesitant to talk about symptoms as they can be vast and varied if presenting at all in patients.
"Syphilis infections, they happen in stages and each stage kind of comes with a different type of symptom -- they can be mild, they can be vague and sometimes they can be not present at all.
"It used to be called 'the great imitator' back in the day, because it can cause symptoms that look like a lot of different infections."
Belanger recommends getting tested regularly when sexually active, because the infection can be treated quickly when it's caught early, which lowers the risk of long-term health problems if otherwise left untreated.
"You know, we have high rates in our community that people have some control of in terms of implementing safer sex practices," she said.
"Getting tested and getting treated if something comes back positive -- that can all have a much more positive impact on their own health and then on our community health."
She also noted that if left untreated during pregnancy, the infection can be spread to the baby while in utero as well as during birth.
Details about the Health Unit's sexual health clinic can be found here.
