All articles tagged with #syphilis outbreak
Columbus Public Health has issued a warning about a syphilis outbreak in the city, urging individuals at risk to get tested. Syphilis is transmitted through unprotected sexual contact and can cause long-term damage if left untreated. The organization offers sexual health clinics and testing for those who may have been exposed to the disease.
A former employee of the Mecklenburg County Health Department in North Carolina has warned of a "syphilis tsunami" in Charlotte, claiming that failures at the state and local level to control the outbreak are putting people in danger. The whistleblower alleges that health leaders were made aware of the issue but took little action, resulting in a backlog of delayed investigations and a failure to identify and treat infected individuals and their partners. The former employee also raised concerns about the handling of a criminal investigation involving another employee. The county and state health departments have disputed the claims, citing challenges in staffing and non-compliance from individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Houston health officials have issued a warning about a syphilis outbreak that has led to a 128% increase in cases among women. The outbreak has also resulted in a nine-fold rise in congenital syphilis. New infections have risen by 57% overall, with cases among women increasing from 295 in 2019 to 674 in 2022. The Houston Health Department plans to launch a rapid outreach response, including increased screening opportunities and mobilizing community partners to address the issue. Pregnant women are urged to seek prenatal care and syphilis testing to protect themselves and their babies. The department is waiving clinical fees for sexually transmitted infections and expanding the use of its mobile clinic.
The Houston Health Department has reported a significant increase in syphilis cases among women, with a 128% rise in infections. New cases rose from 1,845 in 2019 to 2,905 in 2022, and cases among women increased from 295 to 674 during the same period. The department has launched a rapid outreach response to mitigate the spread, including increasing screening opportunities, targeting hotspots, and mobilizing community partners. Pregnant women are urged to seek prenatal care and syphilis testing, as untreated syphilis during pregnancy can lead to stillbirth or infant death. The department will waive clinical fees for sexually transmitted infections and expand the use of its mobile clinic to increase community screening sites.