“The rates of STI in Alberta are the highest in Canada and that’s just unacceptable," said Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky. "Therefore we are taking aggressive and coordinated action on this very serious public health issue.”
“Alberta rates for chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis exceeded the national rate in 2009,” said Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. André Corriveau.
While syphilis infections in Alberta used to be found almost exclusively among gay men living in Edmonton and Calgary, the demographics have shifted as the outbreak has worsened.
'The outbreak is now largely among those identifying their sexual orientation as heterosexual.'—The Syphilis Outbreak in Alberta, Report December 2010
"The outbreak is now largely among those identifying their sexual orientation as heterosexual," the report says.
Edmonton and Calgary continue to have the highest number of cases, but Fort McMurray and Lethbridge are the new "hot spots," with rates exceeding the larger cities.
Doctors in Halifax are treating a rising number of syphilis cases, mostly among men.
Cases of the sexually transmitted infection have spiked since 2008, when it was virtually unknown in the city.
The resurgence of syphilis in Halifax follows a national trend.
In 2001, there were 300 cases in Canada. The numbers have been rising ever since, with
outbreaks in Alberta and
New Brunswick. In 2009 — the most recent numbers available — there were more than 1,600 cases across Canada.
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Dr. Andre Corriveau, Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health, said the point of the campaign is to grab the attention of young people.
"Even though the site is designed as a lure or way of attracting people there really is a serious undertone," he said.
Alberta has the highest rate of syphilis in the country and the numbers are still growing. In 2009 there were about 280 new cases of the disease, compared with just two a decade earlier, Corriveau said.
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Many people infected with syphilis do not have any symptoms for years, yet remain at risk for late complications if they are not treated. Although transmission occurs from persons with sores who are in the primary or secondary stage, many of these sores are unrecognized. Thus, transmission may occur from persons who are unaware of their infection.
Seems that Police are making headway in tracking down the a-holes who attacked Mr. White.
