Syphilis on long-term rise in Windsor-Essex

If you thought syphilis was a thing of the past, think again.

The Windsor Essex County Health Unit is concerned by the long-term trend of the rising number of cases being reported in the region.

According to a health unit report, a portion of which CBC obtained this week, there was a 220-per-cent increase in cases of the sexually transmitted disease between 2005 and 2014, inclusive.

While the percentage is high, the number of actual cases is low, especially when compared to the provincial average.

There were five cases of syphilis reported in 2005 but 13 in 2014.

Numbers spiked in 2013, when there were 17 cases during a province-wide increase, and have been declining ever since.

"We are on the decrease now, and that's a good sign," Nicole Fischer, manager of clinical services for the health unit, said. "The reason syphilis is such a concern is that you can go many years without realizing you have it and you could be passing it on to other people. It's easy to pass to other people."

Windsor-Essex syphilis by the numbers:

• Average of 3 cases per year from 2006-2012
• 17 cases in 2013
• 13 cases in 2014
• 10 cases in 2010

Still, Windsor's rate of infection per 100,000 people is half that of the provincial average:

• Windsor sees 3.2 cases per 100,000 population.
• Ontario sees 6.5 cases per 100,000 population.

"It does sound like a high number, but it's important to note in Windsor our numbers are considered low, but they do follow the trend of the Ontario rates," Fischer said.

Ottawa, for example, has witnessed a surge in the disease recently.

In Windsor and Essex County, 93 per cent of cases are male. The overall age groups most affected are those 20-24 and 45-54.

Sex trade workers, gay men and people who don't use condoms during sex are most at risk. Fisher also said new Canadians make up a proportion of the cases.

When people immigrate to Canada, they go through medical surveillance.

"People that may have had syphilis for quite a few years and are coming through immigration [and they] have to report to the health unit if syphilis is reported on their health screening," Fischer said.

Syphilis is curable. If left untreated, it can attack the brain and spinal cord, leaving permanent damage.

"You get a blood test. You find out within a week if you are positive for syphilis. You do three treatments of penicillin and you're good," Fischer said.

A report on the numbers of cases of sexually transmitted infections in Windsor-Essex will be going to the health unit board at its regular meeting May 19.