Number of syphilis cases on the rise, warns Nunavut's health department

Nunavut's health department is warning people who are sexually active to get tested for syphilis, as the territory is seeing yet another spike in cases of the sexually transmitted infection.

In a news release, the department says the increase has been found throughout Nunavut.

The territory also had a syphilis outbreak between 2012 and 2013.

Early symptoms include a painless skin bump or sore around the genitals or mouth, or a body rash.

People who are infected may not have any symptoms but can still passsyphilis onto partners.

"Without treatment, syphilis can harm every part of the body and cause blindness, paralysis, brain damage, heart damage, and even result in death," the news release says.

Syphilis is treated with antibiotics and can be prevented by using condoms. The health department says people should visit their local health centres to be tested or treated.