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Syphilis cases 'alarming,' say Ingham County health officials

LANSING –
Ingham county health officials are concerned over what they are terming an "alarming" increase in new cases of syphilis reported since Jan. 1.
"A recent increase for us, when we are used to seeing a very, very minimal number of cases – we are alarmed," said Renee Canady, deputy health officer of the Ingham County Health Department.
Officials at the department, including Canady stopped short of calling this increase an "outbreak."
Syphilis is a bacterial infection which causes three stages of disease. In the first stage, an infected person will develop a chancre, or ulcer where the bacteria has entered the skin. The chancre is sometimes painful and sometimes has no pain associated with it. It will eventually go away without treatment. The second stage includes a rash on the hands and feet, and this too will clear up without treatment. The final stage, which can occur years later, includes the bacteria attacking the internal organs including the heart, liver, kidneys and brain.
A simple blood test will determine if a person is infected with the bacteria. The bacteria can be treated with is antibiotics.
In Ingham County, three cases of syphilis were identified in all of 2008. The county has confirmed three cases in the first six weeks of the year. At this time, health officials are indicating the cases are in HIV positive men who have sex with men, but they worry that this could spread beyond that sub population. As a result, they are encouraging anyone who is sexually active to get tested for the disease.
Last year, Genesee County saw a massive outbreak of the disease in its heterosexual population. The outbreak topped off at 109 cases, including five cases in newborn children.
In Kent county, health officials are not "alarmed," but they are concerned about a cluster of cases they have discovered. In Kent, the county has identified four confirmed cases of syphilis in HIV-positive MSM populations since Jan. 1. Last year, the county reported eight such cases, and in 2006-2007 the number was six cases.
"This cluster is related to three other cases in southwest Michigan," said Bridie Kent, public information officer for the Kent County Health Department.
Health officials in both counties warn that anyone who is sexually active is potentially at risk for the infection, and they note that visible indications of infection may not always be present. For instance, an infected person could have a chancre in their throat, which may not be visible, but could spread the disease. Officials warn that while condoms do reduce the risk of syphilis transmission, if the chanker is not covered by the condom, transmission of the bacteria is still possible from what they call "skin to skin" contact.
Also of concern is the fact that the cases are appearing in HIV positive persons.
"Genital sores (chancres) caused by syphilis make it easier to transmit and acquire HIV infection sexually. There is an estimated 2- to 5-fold increased risk of acquiring HIV if exposed to that infection when syphilis is present," said Kent.
Both counties have begun significant outreach to affected communities. Ingham County has contacted local health care providers.
"We have focused our most recent education efforts in the direction of areas likely to be frequented by the MSM population because of the current trend, but again, sexually active individuals that are either unaware of a partner's behavior or unsure of a partner's infection status are vulnerable to infection," Kent said. "Part of the Kent County Health Department's ongoing outreach is to encourage anyone who may be at risk to get tested and "show you know." It's the gateway to treatment, prevention and support."

For information on syphilis, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, plus the numbers of the bacterial infection in the state visit us online at https://www.pridesource.com.

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