Syphilis Outbreak

Information for Health Professionals

Overview

  • The number of infectious syphilis and gonorrhea cases have increased dramatically in Alberta since 2014.
  • Gonorrhea cases have more than doubled since 2014: over 5,000 cases in 2021 versus 1,900 cases in 2014
  • Over 3,200 infectious syphilis cases have been reported in 2021 compared to 160 cases in 2014
  • • Since 2014, there have been over 230 cases of congenital syphilis, resulting in more than 40 still births

Key Messages

Talk

Encourage discussion about STI/HIV screening with all sexually active persons during routine office visits and consider offering STI/HIV testing to all patients as routine care.

Test

Who should be tested?

Resources

Treat

All cases of syphilis should be managed in consultation with STI Centralized Services.

Deskside Reference

Infectious Syphilis Management Tool available for physicians. Download and print a copy.

More

Information for Albertans