The Population Health division of Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living reports an outbreak of syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection that can be shared between sexual partners, throughout the province. Syphilis is known as the ‘great imitator’ because of the wide range of symptoms that infected individuals may develop.  These symptoms can be confused with other conditions or diseases.   Pregnant women can pass on the infection to their unborn baby during pregnancy or childbirth.  This is called congenital syphilis and may lead to birth defects or stillbirth. The number of cases diagnosed in pregnant women continues to rise.  More than 10 infants have been treated for congenital syphilis in the last six months, and a lack of prenatal care and substance use have been identified as factors in these cases. The majority of congenital syphilis cases have been reported in the Northern Health region and Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, but the risk is high across the province. Multiple Canadian provinces, including Alberta, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador, have reported congenital syphilis cases in recent years.  The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States is reporting the highest rates of congenital syphilis cases in decades. There has been an ongoing syphilis outbreak in Manitoba since 2014.  Recently, syphilis infections have increasingly occurred between heterosexual partners.  This means that women who are infected with syphilis in pregnancy and are not adequately treated can pass the infection on to an unborn child. There are tests to determine if a person, including a pregnant woman or a newborn, has syphilis.  Syphilis and congenital syphilis can be prevented by practicing safe sex and proper prenatal testing.  Syphilis and congenital syphilis can be treated with antibiotics.  The earlier women are tested and treated during their pregnancy, the less likely an unborn child will be severely affected. The province urges all women to seek regular prenatal medical care and to receive at least one test for syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections.  If a pregnant woman or her partner engage in sexual practices such as having multiple sexual partners or sex without barrier protection, or use intravenous drugs, more frequent testing is recommended because the risk of syphilis and congenital syphilis is much higher. Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living is actively engaged in a provincewide response to the current outbreak of syphilis. More information is available at www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/diseases/syphilis.html. Any individuals concerned about a syphilis infection should seek testing from their health-care provider.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On February 24th, 2019 police attended to a complaint of a disturbance in a business in the 2600 blk of Willowdale Crescent where a 23 year old Brandon woman was causing trouble inside the business. In an effort to remove the woman from the premise, she assaulted the attending police officers by kicking them as well as spitting at one of them in the face. The woman was eventually taken to BCC and will appear in Brandon Court on February 25th, 2019 charged with assault Police Officer x 5 as well as Resist Arrest.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On Saturday evening, Police received a report that a vehicle was stolen from the 900 Block of Rosser Avenue. The 2006 Ford Mustang car with Manitoba licence plate GUP 147 was left running while the owner entered into a business. The vehicle has yet to be recovered and the Police investigation continues.

Source:  Brandon Police Service Media Release A 24-year old Brandon man was arrested early Saturday morning after he failed to stop for police in the 1800 Block of McDonald Avenue.  Police followed and the man drove his vehicle into a ditch just outside of Brandon.  He will be charged with dangerous driving, flight from police and he was wanted on two arrest warrants.  He will appear in court later this morning.

Around 4:00 on Friday afternoon, Brandon Fire and Emergency Services and Brandon Police Service responded to the intersection of 22nd St and Van Horne Ave for a two-vehicle crash. The crash involved a pickup truck and a small SUV, with the SUV ending up in a snowbank. A local resident said, "22nd St is a racetrack. Vehicles drive way too fast up and down this road for a residential street." Thankfully, it appeared that nobody was transported to hospital. Photo by: Liam Pattison Photography.