2007 Archive

Capital Health awareness campaign targets syphilis outbreak

Edmonton, Canada – Capital Health is urging people to practise safe sex and get tested in a new awareness campaign in response to a syphilis outbreak in the Edmonton area, which now includes more than 290 cases.

"It is important to protect yourself and others from syphilis by using a condom," says Dr. Ameeta Singh, Medical Director for Capital Health's Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Centre. "If you're having unprotected sex, you're at risk of contracting syphilis."

The people particularly at risk of contracting syphilis in the Capital Health region are sex-trade workers and their clients, and drug users. However, individuals of any age, gender, ethnicity, sexual preference or socioeconomic status are at risk if they have unprotected sex outside a mutually monogamous relationship.

A further concern is that eight cases of congenital syphilis have been diagnosed in the region since 2005. The infection is passed from mother to child in utero and can lead to fetal death, miscarriage, premature delivery and birth defects including blindness and deafness. Congenital syphilis can be prevented if the mother receives pre-natal testing and treatment as soon as possible after acquiring the infection.

"Syphilis is preventable and treatable. Testing and treatment are free to all individuals either through physicians' offices or Capital Health facilities such as the STD Centre," says Dr. Marcia Johnson, Deputy Medical Officer of Health.

The Capital Health initiative builds upon the Alberta government's awareness campaign launched in March to help stop the spread of syphilis and raise public awareness about this preventable disease. Alberta Health and Wellness is working closely with regional health authorities, nurses, and physicians throughout the province to remind all Albertans to practice safer sex with the use of a condom and to get tested if they suspect they may have been exposed to syphilis.

"This alarming outbreak is spreading throughout mainstream society occurring in individuals as young as 15 years of age as well as an 81-year-old," said Dr. Karen Grimsrud, Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health. "We need to take proactive steps to address this issue and increased funding by the Alberta government for improved syphilis testing will produce more accurate test results."

Syphilis is an infection transmitted by vaginal, anal or oral sexual contact.  A sore will develop at the point of contact within a few weeks after having sexual contact with an infected individual. Untreated, this sore will heal spontaneously and may be followed by a generalized rash several months later. If left untreated, many years later syphilis can cause blindness, deafness, paralysis, brain or heart disease.

A simple blood test can determine if the infection is syphilis.  Once diagnosed, individuals are given a convenient, single treatment of penicillin. Capital Health's campaign includes condom packages and posters for community partners, coasters for local bars and street signs in various areas of the city reminding residents of the syphilis outbreak.

If you wish to receive a free confidential syphilis test, please visit the STD Centre located in the Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre at 11111 Jasper Avenue or call Capital Health Link at 408-LINK (5465).

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