A warning from the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit about a "significant" spike in the number of new Syphilis cases
According to a new report from the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, the virus, which can cause serious damage and eventually death if left untreated, has increased 103% when comparing a three year period between 2017 to 2019 and 2014 to 2016.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Wajid Ahmed says the health unit will focus on outreach to get those numbers down.
"People are engaging in high risk sexual activities and behaviours without taking the appropriate precautions so we want to make sure that we do a good job in educating," he says.
Ahmed says same-sex couples and younger residents are the fastest rising demographic when it comes to infection.
"That's a target population that we are concerned about and we want to reach out to them to make sure that we are providing them with all the information that they need," he says.
The health unit is the last stop for anyone diagnosed with the virus, but Ahmed says family doctors and clinics are usually the first point of contact.
"We are hoping that through our health care provider outreach we are equipping them with the information and the resources that they need for early diagnosis and treatment and management of syphilis cases," added Ahmed.
Syphilis is curable with treatment, but some people may carry the virus without symptoms.
Ahmed says, with multiple sexually transmitted infections on the rise in the region, condoms are still the most effective preventative measure.
He says anyone who thinks they may have an STI can contact the health unit for help.