So far this year, to February 9, five cases have been reported in the Mount Isa Health Service District.

In 2011 there were 84 cases, which was a massive leap from the 16 cases in 2010 and the two cases in 2009.

Sexual Health Services staff specialist Dr Arun Menon said an education and information campaign was being undertaken in North West communities to raise awareness and encourage young people to have regular testing for syphilis and other sexually transmissible infections.

"There will be more people walking around who don't know they have syphilis, so we must tackle the problem to limit further spread,'' Dr Menon said.

He said syphilis is a curable sexually transmissible infection (STI), and additional clinical staff had been deployed in the district to help identify and treat cases and trace sexual partners of people with syphilis.

"If someone is contacted by our health staff and advised they may have been in contact with an STI, it's important for those people to come into a clinic, or go to their doctor, and be tested - even if they are feeling fine,'' he said.

"We are also working closely with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health organisations, the Royal Flying Doctor Service and GPs as part of this."

He said some STIs, such as syphilis, can have few or no symptoms, so an infected person, especially in the early stages, may not even be aware that they are infected, but could be infecting others.

"Therefore, for young people having sex, it's very important to go to your local clinic and be tested regularly."

Dr Menon said there was a confidential blood test for syphilis.

"The most effective treatment for syphilis is a course of antibiotics.

"Syphilis infection in the unborn baby is serious and can lead to miscarriage or premature labour.

"So it is really important that women go to the health clinic or hospital early when they are pregnant"

Find more information regarding sexual health and STIs at:

www.health.qld.gov.au /sexhealth