Health officials in the western city of Winnipeg are struggling to stifle the largest outbreak of syphilis in recent years. Rates of the sexually-transmitted disease have been climbing across Canada for more than a decade, as they have in the United States and Europe.
Winnipeg reports 60 cases so far this year, with most of the cases among men having sex with other men. At least half of those infected used social media to find a casual and anonymous partner, and that has made it difficult for public health officials to track partners to try to stop the spread of the disease.
Undetected syphilis can kill
Syphilis is easy to treat. One dose of antibiotic knocks it out. The problem is the disease can be difficult to detect and is easily spread through oral, vaginal or anal sex. A mother can transmit it to her baby.
The first symptom is a chancre or sore which may be inside the rectum or vagina and may not be noticed and heals on its own. The second stage of the disease can cause rashes, fever and swelling which then may disappear. Syphilis may lie dormant and, years later, cause damage to the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, and other systems and eventually be fatal. All the while, the person with the disease is infectious.
Health officials are using social media to warn people about the problem and to instruct them as to how to avoid getting syphilis.
For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.