Syphilis 'epidemic' sparks campaign in Metro Vancouver

The syphilis rate in Metro Vancouver has reached a30-year high, prompting a new campaign aimed at eliminating thesexually transmitted disease.

Vancouver Coastal Health medical health officer Dr. Reka Gustafson said Monday that syphilis rates are at epidemicproportions, especially in the Lower Mainland's gay and bisexualcommunities.

In 2012, there were 371 cases reported in B.C., most of thosewith the highly contagiousdisease were gay and bisexual men.

Most people who are diagnosed with syphilis have no symptoms. Those who do have symptoms report either a painless sore or rash.

If left untreated, syphilis can lead to blindness, hearing loss,neurological problems and in severe cases can be fatal.

Vancouver Coastal Health launched the campaign to urge people ingay and bisexual communities to get tested regularly and practisesafe sex.

'Check Him Out'

The cheeky Internet and poster campaign, called Check Him Out, focuseson Vancouvertrends such as French bulldogs, dating apps and syphilis rates at a30-year high.

Several community agencies work with gay and bisexual men,including Health Initiative for Men, or HIM, and Positive Living B.C.

Jody Jollimore, program manager for Health Initiative for Men,said the campaign educates men in a way that reflects their lives.

"We know that gay and bisexual men care about their sexualhealth and when given access to appropriate information, [they]makehealthier choices," Jollimore said in a news release.

Glen Doupe, an outreach team leader for the B.C. Centre forDisease Control, said people need to get tested regularly because they mayhavethe disease and not know it.

"Syphilis spreads easily through any form of sexual contact sopeople also need to be more knowledgeable about safe sexpractices."

B.C. isn't the only province to see a spike in the number ofsyphilis cases.

Statistics show that in 2010 there were more than 1,750 cases inCanada, up from the 177 in 1993.