‘Very concerning’ as cases of syphilis, hep B skyrocket in Quebec City

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Cases of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs), such as syphilis and hepatitis B, have risen “alarmingly” in recent years in the Quebec City area, Noovo Info has found.

According to recent data from the CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale and the CISSS de Chaudière-Appalaches, 170 cases of syphilis were identified in 2024 in the Capitale-Nationale region compared to 48 in 2020.

This represents an increase of 355 per cent.

In Chaudière-Appalaches, cases have risen from 29 to 76, a 262 per cent increase in recent years.

“This is not a trivial disease,” said Dr. Nathanaëlle Thériault, a public health specialist at the CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale. “It is an infection that is increasingly spreading to the heterosexual population, particularly among women. This is a major source of concern because we don’t want to see cases appear in our babies.”

This is despite syphilis being considered on the verge of extinction in the late 1990s.

So, what changed in the last 30 years?

Clinical nurse Marie-Christine Dubé explains that sexual relations between strangers have increased significantly, and dating apps have boosted the chances of sexual contact with an infected person.

Since treatments are now available, Dubé also suggests that people “may be less afraid” of contracting the disease.

“If syphilis becomes complicated, it can damage the eyes and brain. It can be extremely dangerous,” she warns.

As for hepatitis B, experts say the number of cases has also gone up astronomically, with increases of 485 per cent in the Capitale-Nationale region and 220 per cent in Chaudière-Appalaches.

Although the majority of Quebec’s population is adequately vaccinated against hepatitis B, Dubé notes that some people may come from countries where vaccination is less common, and this may have an effect on the numbers.

The best way to avoid infection? Contraception, states Thériault.

“It’s time for people to take their sexual health seriously,” she insisted.