Infectious syphilis in Canada: 2003-2012

In the 1990s, rates of reported cases of infectious syphilis were relatively low and were similar among males and females. In 2001, rates began to increase, particularly among males.

To identify trends in reported cases of infectious syphilis in Canada from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2012.

Notifiable disease reports were submitted to the Public Health Agency of Canada by provincial and territorial epidemiological units and data were summarized by age and sex.

Rates of reported cases of infectious syphilis increased by 101.0% between 2003 and 2012, from 2.9 to 5.8 per 100,000. Over this time frame, rates increased among males by 128.3% and decreased among females by 40.9%. In males, rates of infectious syphilis were highest among those aged 25 to 29; in females, rates were highest among those aged 20 to 24.

In Canada, as in many countries, rates of reported infectious syphilis cases in males have markedly increased over the last 10 years.