The Windsor Essex County Health Unit has announced a rise in syphilis cases across the area.
A decade ago, back in 2016, the region had only 16 recorded syphilis cases. By 2025, that number jumped to 122 confirmed cases.
A report from Public Health Ontario shows that the region’s rate of syphilis is higher than the provincial average. In 2024, Ontario as a whole saw 18 cases per 100,000 people, while Windsor-Essex reported 21.1 cases per 100,000 people.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Mehdi Aloosh expressed concern over this trend.
“Syphilis is not just a sexually transmitted disease it can be an infection of the brain, eye, heart, and can kill people, unfortunately, if left untreated,” said Dr. Aloosh.
He noted that this increase in syphilis cases is also causing a worrying rise in babies born with congenital syphilis.
“For decades, we didn’t have a case of congenital syphilis in Windsor-Essex,” said Dr. Aloosh. “We started seeing that in 2022.”
Congenital syphilis occurs when a child is born with the virus and can lead to lifelong disabilities.
Dr. Aloosh advises everyone who is sexually active to get tested regularly.
“Get tested regularly for not only syphilis but other sexually transmitted diseases if you are sexually active if you have multiple partners if you have new partners. Just keep it part of the regular health and well-being checkups,” said Dr. Aloosh.
He emphasized that education, monitoring and treatment can help reduce the number of cases in the region.
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