The number of newborns born with syphilis in Canada has risen dramatically.
According to the CBC broadcast on the 14th (local time), the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) said that cases of congenital syphilis in newborns increased by 1271%, from 7 in 2017 to 96 in 2021.
Congenital syphilis is transmitted from pregnant women with syphilis, and the media explained that the increase in syphilis infection in the general population increased along with it.
The number of people infected with syphilis has steadily increased over the past 10 years. According to the PHAC, the number of infections per 100,000 population has increased from 5.1 in 2011 to 24.7 in 2020, a nearly fivefold increase.
Medical experts said that although syphilis cases have traditionally been relatively higher among men who have sex with men (MSM), a new characteristic has recently emerged: an increase in syphilis cases among non-MSM women of childbearing age.
He cited the decline in condom use as one of the prominent reasons for the rise in syphilis. A 2020 study of about 2,300 sexually active Canadians at McMaster University found that 70% of them did not use condoms, the expert pointed out.
In addition, as syphilis testing has become easier, the number of cases of infection has increased, and problems in early diagnosis and treatment due to racial or structural inequalities in health are pointed out, the CBC reported.
The Public Health Agency requested periodic examinations through the syphilis examination guidelines and emphasized that “especially pregnant women need thorough examinations and examinations.”
Meanwhile, syphilis causes a wide range of symptoms, which makes it difficult to detect the infection early, experts said. He added that if left untreated, it can lead to organ damage, loss of vision, and even death.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.