Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that is caused by bacteria. Health officials are responding to a sudden spike in the Labrador-Grenfell region of N.L. Health Services. (CBC News/NIAID)More cases of the sexually transmitted disease syphilis have been contracted in the area covering Labrador and parts of northern Newfoundland so far this year than in the last decade combined, health officials say.
Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services has declared an outbreak of syphilis in its Labrador-Grenfell zone.
So far this year, 19 cases have been reported in the region, which spans all of Labrador and the eastern part of Newfoundland's Great Northern Peninsula.
That surpasses the 16 cases reported in the prior 10 years.
What's driving the sudden spike is not yet known, according to Dr. Kevin Lam, N.L. Health Services' medical officer of health.
"We don't actually specifically know the reasons for why we're seeing it in our region," Lam said.
While the Labrador-Grenfell zone is the only area in the province affected by a rise in the number of cases of syphilis, the health authority doesn't know if the cases are isolated in one community of the zone.
"We don't want people to fall into this false sense of security that there's more cases in one area versus another and therefore that they're not at risk," Lam told CBC Radio's Newfoundland Morning.
Several factors can contribute to a rise in syphilis. Lam said this includes decreased condom use, limited testing for STIs, or sexually transmitted infections, and substance use during sexual activity.
"The use of substances while having sex could impair judgment, and that can lead us to take riskier behaviours, such as unprotected sex or having multiple sexual partners," he said. "That increases your risk of STI and also increases the likelihood of STI spreading."
Lam said symptoms of syphilis include painless sores in the genital region, swollen lymph nodes, and a new rash over certain parts of the body.
LISTEN | Bernice Hillier talks with Dr. Kevin Lam about the sudden rise in syphilis infections:CBC Newfoundland Morning7:39A syphilis outbreak hits the Labrador-Grenfell zone
The province's health authority says cases of a sexually transmitted infection are on the rise. NL Health Services says there's an outbreak of syphilis in the Labrador-Grenfell zone. Dr. Kevin Lam is a medical officer of health with NL Health Services.But the STI can be present without symptoms or apparent signs, which poses a greater public health risk.
"You can spread syphilis without having any symptoms, and having untreated syphilis can cause serious health issues such as damage to your brain, heart and other organs," Lam said.
Syphilis must be treated through antibiotics for it to go away. When the STI goes untreated, it increases the risk of spreading the infection to others.
Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services are providing condoms at all of its public health clinics as the region faces an outbreak of syphilis. (Kate McGillivray/CBC)For pregnant people, syphilis can be passed on to their babies through congenital syphilis.
"This can lead to serious health problems for newborns, such as developmental delays, low birth weight, hearing and vision problems, and even death," he said.
To prevent syphilis, Lam recommends sexually active people get tested for sexually transmitted infections and diseases regularly.
N.L. Health Services is addressing the outbreak by providing condoms in all of its public health offices in the Labrador Grenfell zone and screening pregnant people for syphilis in their first and third semesters.
"All sexually active people should get tested regularly for STIs. And if you do test positive, it is crucial that you get treated so that you can really protect yourself, your family and your partners," Lam said.
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