Social media 'meet ups' linked to spike of syphilis, health official says

Saskatoon's deputy medical health officer believes an increase in reports of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may be linked to more people getting together through the use of social media.

STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis are on the rise in Saskatoon, according to a recent report from the Saskatoon Health Region.

Gonorrhea and syphilis, in particular, have sharply increased in the last three years.

"We do know that meet-ups using social media has led to an increase in these types of infections, and even outbreaks of syphilis, in other parts of the country," Julie Kryzanowski, the region's deputy medical health officer, told CBC News Monday.

According to the region rates of other infectious diseases, including HIV and hepatitis C, are on the decline.