There are now 18 cases of syphilis in Iqaluit, up from 13 at the beginning of September, but health officials in Nunavut say the worst of the outbreak is likely over.

"We have seen a peak in cases so far, but we're not letting down our guard whatsoever,” said Dr. Maureen Baikie, Nunavut's acting Chief Medical Officer of Health. “We're still doing everything we need to do to interrupt transmission and manage this outbreak."

A cluster of cases of syphilis was first detected in May in Iqaluit.

Health officials have since traced partners who may have contracted the disease. They have also launched a poster campaign to raise awareness of syphilis.

So far, no cases have been identified outside of Iqaluit, however some of the individuals infected have travelled between communities.

Baikie urges all Nunavummiut to practise safe sex to stop the spread of syphilis, and to go to a health centre and be tested if you may have been exposed to the disease or have symptoms.

"The symptoms they should look for are, in early syphilis, they can have a painless sore on their genitalia, they may get swollen lymph nodes as well, and as it goes on, they can get a general fever and feel generally unwell," said Baikie.

She said all of the cases diagnosed so far were caught early and are being treated.

Syphilis can be treated with a single injection of penicillin. If left untreated, syphilis can cause damage to the heart, blood vessels and brain, and even death.