Windsor-Essex health unit warns of sharp rise in syphilis cases

(CTV News file image)

A sharp rise in syphilis cases across Windsor-Essex has prompted a warning from the local health unit.

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is urging residents to get tested regularly and protect themselves by using condoms.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection spread through unprotected sex. It can cause sores or rashes at the site of exposure.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Mehdi Aloosh said the region is moving in the opposite direction of the rest of Ontario, which has seen a decline in congenital syphilis since 2022.

“Since 2023, we had 78 cases. It increased to 122 in 2025, which is a significant increase. Remember, in 2016, we had just nine cases,” Aloosh said.

Aloosh pointed to factors such as anonymous sex, a lack of regular STI testing, dating apps, substance use, housing instability and broader social challenges as contributing factors.

He said prevention depends on community behaviour.

“If we do the testing, if we use condoms as a community, I think we can bend that trend and prevent transmission,” Aloosh said.

He said the most alarming aspect of the rise is the increase in congenital syphilis affecting pregnant women and newborns.

Windsor-Essex recorded two congenital cases in 2022, followed by four cases in both 2024 and 2025.

“Now there are more cases among pregnant women that can affect children, and these children can be disabled for their life,” Aloosh said.

“We see an increase we hadn’t had for decades in Windsor and Essex.”

Residents are encouraged to speak with a family doctor or nurse practitioner, contact the health unit or use Ontario’s 811 service to access testing.