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Syphilis outbreak declared in Alberta

A large spike in the number of syphilis cases being reported across the province including here in southern Alberta.

The rapid increase has prompted Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, to declare a provincial outbreak and encourage people to get tested and protect themselves.

She says 1,536 cases were reported last year which is almost ten times more than the 161 reported in 2014.

Syphilis rates haven’t been this high in Alberta in 70 years.

Cases have been increasing all across the province with the highest spikes occurring in Edmonton and northern Alberta communities.

In the South Zone there were 31 cases of syphilis reported last year which is up 138.5% from 2017.

Tina Karst
Tina Karst
A Lethbridge College alumnus, Tina moved back to the community two years after convocation, in September 2007, to become a member of the CJOC News Team. She started as a weekend reporter/anchor and now serves as Associate News Director. When Tina's not tracking down local news, she's either busy at home with Jordan and their two kids or creating custom macrame pieces for a growing list of clients.
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