Genesee County Health Department
Better Life Through Better Health
Release Date: November 6, 2008 End Date:
November 27, 2008
Contact Person: Mark Valacak
Community Health Director
Genesee County Health Department
Phone: (810) 257-3812
RE:
Syphilis cases in Genesee County surpass 100
The number of cases of infectious syphilis in Genesee County
this year continues to climb past the highest numbers ever recorded in over
20 years, surpassing 100 cases. To date there have been 109 reported cases
in Genesee County. This represents a 2,000% increase compared to the same
time last year when 5 cases were reported. The rate of infectious syphilis
in Genesee County this year is now 3 times higher than the rate of Detroit,
which historically has the highest rate in Michigan, making Genesee County,
for the first time, the area in Michigan with the greatest burden of
syphilis.
Adding to this health crisis is the growing number of
pregnant women in Genesee County being detected with syphilis infection. A
pregnant woman who is infected with syphilis during her pregnancy and not
adequately treated for the disease can pass it to her unborn baby causing
birth defects, developmental delays and even infant death. During the
outbreak, an alarming 5 cases of congenital syphilis have been diagnosed in
Genesee County.
The Genesee County Health Department recently began a
public education campaign using billboards and buses in Flint and Genesee
County to inform residents of the syphilis outbreak and strongly advise
testing. Anyone who thinks that he or she has syphilis or another sexually
transmitted disease (STD) or is at risk of contracting an STD including
syphilis should be tested immediately. Given the great burden of syphilis in
the area, all pregnant women in Genesee County should be routinely screened
for syphilis in the beginning of their pregnancy, during their third
trimester, and at delivery.
Syphilis is detected with a simple blood test and is easily
cured by antibiotics. A health care provider can assess a person’s risk for
syphilis and provide testing and treatment. Many health care providers in
Genesee County have been diligently testing for syphilis in those who are at
risk of infection and in pregnant women. The Genesee County Health
Department (GCHD) acknowledges these and all health care providers for their
help to control syphilis in Genesee County and asks that they stay vigilant
and continue their efforts.
For more information about syphilis or the GCHD Adult
and Teen Clinic which offers confidential testing and treatment for STDs,
including syphilis, please call the GCHD Syphilis Hotline at (810) 257-3887
or visit our website at
www.gchd.us.
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