Health officials in Saskatchewan have declared a syphilis outbreak in almost every First Nations community in the province.
An increase of cases has been reported in Lloydminster, the Battlefords, Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Fort Qu’Appelle with similar numbers in the northeast and northwest.
“Based on what we’ve seen from January up to date [first week of July] we see a 295 percent in the number of cases of syphilis, particularly in on-reserve communities,” Dr. Ibrahim Khan, Medical Health Officer with Indigenous Services Canada said.
Syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection is both treatable and preventable. Khan says young women and expectant mothers are most affected.
“Majority are young women from the age group 20-40. We’re also seeing a number of these women are pregnant women,” said Khan.
It is recommended that women get screened and treated for syphilis. Treatment is conducted through the injection of antibiotics, which is free through your local health provider.
Khan says pregnant women need to be tested throughout their pregnancy as a way of also protecting their unborn child.
Syphilis is a bacterial infection, which usually starts as painless warts on your genitals and mouth and spreads through skin-to-skin contact of the sores.
Khan says precautions to prevent the spread of syphilis can be done through wearing a condom or if you suspect an STI, avoid sexual activity with that person.