Health officials are troubled about an increase in cases of syphilis in the health region.
“We have seen positive cases in the recent months and that is a concern,” said Dr. Khami Chokani, medical health officer for the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region.
Cases are cause for concern be-cause syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection, is relatively rare, but there have been nine new cases reported in the last four months, he said.
This doesn’t necessarily make Prince Albert a hot spot, but it is something that the Ministry of Health is keeping an eye on, said Dr. Saqib Shahab, deputy chief medical health officer for the province.
“With syphilis, it is very rare typically, less common than chlamydia or gonorrhea,” he said.
“What has been happening in Prince Albert has been unusual for Prince Albert and that hasn’t been reflected in other parts of the province so far ... we’re watching it very closely.”
The province is starting to work with the region to put a public awareness campaign in place.
Syphilis was prevalent in the early 1900s, but the discovery of penicillin started a significant decline after the 1960s. However it has been slowly re-emerging across North America in recent years. In Saskatchewan, it has increased most noticeably in the last few years.
Until 2005 the Ministry of Health would see about two to three new cases annually. Beginning in 2006 that number jumped to 13 to 14 new cases and last year there was a total of 17 new cases provincewide, said Shahab.
Syphilis can spread quickly over a wide geographic area as the symptoms can be mild or go unnoticed, said Chokani. It’s difficult to predict trends in the infection as it isn’t limited to certain groups.
“It’s very difficult to compartmentalize syphilis in terms of geography or certain characteristics or risk factors, ” Shahab said.
“It’s dangerous to be complacent and think this only affects people who are at high risk.”
The most effective way of addresses the increasing syphilis cases is testing and treatment, Chokani said.
Testing involves a blood test and is included as part of prenatal and full STI screenings and syphilis is curable through an injection of benzathine penicillin.
Safe sex will prevent the transmission of syphilis, which like other sexually transmitted infections can increase the risk of HIV, said Chokani.
“We’re not telling you don’t have sex, but if you are going to ... do it, do it safely,” he said.
The health region and Ministry of Health are looking at tracking the cases through communications with the community and health officials in other provinces.
ahill@paherald.sk.ca
