Eastern Health disclosed in a statement that seven cases were reported just in the first 40 days of this year. Eastern Health, which oversees reports filed in eastern Newfoundland, said those figures mark a "steep increase" compared with 2016, Eastern Health said in a media release issued Tuesday. Health Minister John Haggie has said it's important for people to know the risks and take precautions when it comes to anonymous sex. After a person is diagnosed with syphilis, health officials ask for a list of sexual contacts to notify them that they should get tested. Carola Penney of Planned Parenthood–NL Sexual Health Centre in St. John's told CBC News last fall.

Source: CBC News February 20, 2018 17:03 UTC