'Horrifying' number of syphilis infections in Alberta

[Syt]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/horrifying-number-of-syphilis-infections-in-alberta-reaching-pre-antibiotic-levels-1.6139240

'Horrifying' number of syphilis infections in Alberta reaching pre-antibiotic levels

'The highest rates we've seen since the 1940s,' before antibiotics were introduced, specialist says

Despite advances in health care, the number of syphilis infections is skyrocketing across Alberta, reaching their highest levels in about 70 years.

Cases of the disease in Alberta have exploded since 2000, when only 17 were reported. By 2020, there were 2,509 cases in the province.

"The highest rates we've seen since the 1940s, which is, of course, the pre-antibiotic era," said Dr. Ameeta Singh, an infectious disease specialist who works at Edmonton's Royal Alexandra Hospital.

"Despite all of our advances, we are seeing a horrifying rate of syphilis cases."

Syphilis was cited by Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer of health, as one of the worrisome health threats going unchecked while resources are tied up with COVID-19. Devoting more resources to those threats was the key reason for Alberta's controversial rolling back of COVID-19 measures, announced in late July.

The disease is a bacterial infection, usually spread by sexual contact, that infects millions around the world each year. Without treatment, syphilis may attack major organs resulting in death.

Almost half the cases were in Edmonton, which had about three times as many as were reported in Calgary. In fact, Edmonton has one of the highest syphilis rates in Canada.

In the first three months of 2021, there were 765 cases reported in Alberta.

The popularity of social media apps being used for dating, such as Facebook, might be part of the reason for the surge, said Singh.

As well, people may also be taking fewer precautions and using condoms less frequently, she told CBC Edmonton's Radio Active. 

There is also a significant link between methamphetamine and sexually transmitted infections.

"Not only does the drug stimulate the sex drive, but it also encourages risky behaviour," said Singh.

Edmonton also has the highest rate per capita for methamphetamine use, according to a wastewater survey by Statistics Canada. The agency has been testing wastewater in five major cities since 2019.

The last time syphilis was this prevalent in Alberta was in 1948, just a few years after penicillin became widely available and cases began to decline.

"Remarkably, the bacteria has not developed resistance to penicillin," said Singh, noting that it is still used as a treatment today.

In 1998, Canada announced a goal to eliminate syphilis. However, the following year an outbreak was reported in downtown Vancouver and soon after another in northern Alberta.

Syphilis can be particularly alarming for pregnant women as it can be passed to the baby and result in stillbirths.

Singh said about 15 per cent of cases in Alberta occur in pregnant women.

"And many of those women are disproportionately affected by other social determinants of health, such as homelessness, poverty, addictions and mental health issues."

A syphilis outbreak was declared in 2019 by Alberta Health Services after 12 stillborn births.

This problem is not solely Alberta's as the disease is also surging across Canada, the United States and Australia.

To fight the increasing numbers, Singh said heightened public awareness is essential to push individuals to get tested.

Rapid testing is also in the works for syphilis and HIV to give patients a preliminary result within minutes.

"If we find someone is syphilis-positive, we can offer treatment right there, which will hopefully prevent transmission as well as complications," Singh said.

[The Brain]

Plugging meth may not be the answer.

[Jacob]

The popularity of social media apps being used for dating, such as Facebook, might be part of the reason for the surge...

Is using Facebook to find dates common in Alberta?

[PDH]

The popularity of social media apps being used for dating, such as Facebook, might be part of the reason for the surge...

Is using Facebook to find dates common in Alberta?

They use Facebook to find meth, then the sex thing takes care of itself.

[Neil]

The popularity of social media apps being used for dating, such as Facebook, might be part of the reason for the surge...

Is using Facebook to find dates common in Alberta?

I don't think so.  But I've been mercifully removed from the dating scene for almost twenty years now.  I can't imagine how unpleasant it must be trying to date these days.

It's just the same old story:  Economic struggles leads to drugs which leads to disease.

[viper37]

The popularity of social media apps being used for dating, such as Facebook, might be part of the reason for the surge...

Is using Facebook to find dates common in Alberta?

Facebook has a dating app, Facebook dating.
It's for old people (>30), though.


There are also Facebook groups catering to special interests or geographical locations, for dating and "friendship" purposes.  Like, one for Quebec metalheads&punks.  I suppose there might be some for meth users too.  Something like "Fun&recreation Albertans".

But by all means, let's legalize this too.  Needlessly, many Canadians commit a crime for the simple purpose of enjoying themselves.  In the name of freedom, we could even give them free access to drug injection sites.  I'm sure the problem would disappear by itself shortly after that, as it did in BC.  And obviously, only old, socially reactive ultra conservative would oppose such magical measures.

[Valmy]

I was about to say. I am not sure I would want my friends, family, and co-workers able to see how my dating life was going on Facebook.

[viper37]

I was about to say. I am not sure I would want my friends, family, and co-workers able to see how my dating life was going on Facebook.

It's a separate app.  The women who hates being judged by their looks alone will receive a notification you liked their picture, look at yours, and decide if they should talk to you or not based on your looks alone.

As for groups, they tend to be private, so no one else outside the groups will know I like heavy metal a lot.

[Valmy]

I was about to say. I am not sure I would want my friends, family, and co-workers able to see how my dating life was going on Facebook.

It's a separate app.  The women who hates being judged by their looks alone will receive a notification you liked their picture, look at yours, and decide if they should talk to you or not based on your looks alone.

As for groups, they tend to be private, so no one else outside the groups will know I like heavy metal a lot.

I don't think most women mind being judged by their looks for dating purposes. It is just in areas where it is not relevant to what is going on

But most apps at least have a few things in there besides just your picture.

[merithyn]

I was about to say. I am not sure I would want my friends, family, and co-workers able to see how my dating life was going on Facebook.

It's a separate app.  The women who hates being judged by their looks alone will receive a notification you liked their picture, look at yours, and decide if they should talk to you or not based on your looks alone.

As for groups, they tend to be private, so no one else outside the groups will know I like heavy metal a lot.

I don't think most women mind being judged by their looks for dating purposes. It is just in areas where it is not relevant to what is going on

But most apps at least have a few things in there besides just your picture.

It's a regular dating app just like all the others. Not sure what Viper is talking about, but if you've used Bumble or some other dating site, using the Facebook dating app is pretty much the same.

[Eddie Teach]

I was about to say. I am not sure I would want my friends, family, and co-workers able to see how my dating life was going on Facebook.

It's a separate app.  The women who hates being judged by their looks alone will receive a notification you liked their picture, look at yours, and decide if they should talk to you or not based on your looks alone.

As for groups, they tend to be private, so no one else outside the groups will know I like heavy metal a lot.

I don't think most women mind being judged by their looks for dating purposes.

Only unattractive ones?

[viper37]

It's a regular dating app just like all the others. Not sure what Viper is talking about, but if you've used Bumble or some other dating site, using the Facebook dating app is pretty much the same.

It is marginally more evolved than Tinder, I'll grant you that.  But it has a lot less profile than Elite Singles.  About on par with Badoo.