Ohio: Syphilis outbreak persists in Columbus

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Source: http://thelantern.com/2014/11/syphil...s-in-columbus/

Syphilis outbreak persists in Columbus
November 16, 2014
Lauren Every

...Columbus Public Health lists a Columbus syphilis outbreak on its website.

Its most recent release about the outbreak was issued Nov. 4 and said data from the Ohio Department of Health showed a 34 percent increase in cases from January through August, compared to January through August 2013.

Columbus Public Health issued its initial advisory about the outbreak July 10...

...During 2005?13, the number of primary and secondary syphilis cases reported each year in the United States nearly doubled, from 8,724 to 16,663; the annual rate increased from 2.9 to 5.3 cases per 100,000 population.

Makeda Porter, a prevention services manager of Columbus Public Health?s Sexual Health Program, said since the Columbus advisory was posted, the number of cases have increased.

?We expect actually an uptake in the number of cases that are found because, ideally, what would happen is those numbers are released by the health department and then testing would increase,? Porter said...

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Re: Ohio: Syphilis outbreak persists in Columbus

Source: http://columbus.gov/publichealth/ale...visory-Update/

Syphilis Outbreak in Columbus - Important Update - 11.4.2014

There is an outbreak of syphilis in the Columbus community. Syphilis is a highly contagious sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is spread through vaginal, anal and/or oral sex.

The most current data from the Ohio Department of Health for infectious ?Early Syphilis? [ES] cases document an increase of 34% when comparing January- August of 2013 to January- August of 2014. A staggering increase among females of 81% has resulted in the treatment of several pregnant women and seven (7) confirmed congenital syphilis cases. Columbus Public Health is alerting medical providers to this threat in an effort to stop the spread.

To decrease missed opportunities, we ask that providers:

Increase syphilis screening among at-risk asymptomatic patients (e.g. men who have sex with men (MSM), HIV positive patients, and commercial sex workers among others).
Increase testing and same day treatment of those who present with symptoms suspicious for ES.

Please see the included slide set for a brief, pointed overview of syphilis symptoms, testing, treatment and epidemiology. Columbus Public Health asks that you join the efforts to prevent and control this infectious disease that can have devastating outcomes if left untreated.