Alaska state health officials are warning residents about an alarming increase in syphilis cases and are now urging more adults in the state to get tested regularly.
Syphilis has increased nationwide in recent years, with Alaska among the states with the fastest rise, according to data reported to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“As of 2016, there were only 20 cases of syphilis per year in Alaska. In 2022, there will be 424 syphilis cases in Alaska, an increase of more than 20 times,” said the Alaska Department of Health. issued a written statement on Tuesday. “To address this rapid increase, CDC now recommends that most adults in Alaska under the age of 45 get tested for syphilis at least once this year.”
“Alaska currently has one of the highest rates of syphilis in the country,” said Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer. “Persons of reproductive age and who are sexually active should undergo a syphilis test if their syphilis status is unknown. Every time they have a new sexual partner, they should be tested for syphilis if they have more than one partner. ~ Everyone should be retested every six months.”
Early syphilis, an infection caused by the Treponema pallidum bacterium, is easily treated with antibiotics. The initial symptoms are usually small, painless sores or chancre, which usually disappear after a few weeks, even without medication.
However, if untreated, the infection will remain in the body and eventually Severe, even deadly. Years after initial exposure, the infection can affect major organs and invade the nervous system, causing blindness, altered thinking and dementia, according to the CDC.
Alaska public health officials are particularly concerned about the record number of infants born with so-called congenital syphilis, which is transmitted to infants from infected mothers. In 2022, 12 cases of congenital syphilis were diagnosed among infants born primarily in south-central Alaska.
“It is especially important for all pregnant women to ask their doctor for a syphilis screening test as part of their prenatal care. Testing is recommended at the first prenatal visit, during the second trimester, and again at delivery. ” said Dr. Joe McLaughlin, Alaska state epidemiologist and chief of epidemiology for the Department of Public Health.
in december letter Zink and McLaughlin urged Alaska health care providers to highlight the dramatic increase in congenital syphilis, especially among pregnant women who are most at risk, including “those experiencing challenges such as homelessness and addiction.” Testing was encouraged.
“To reverse the dramatic increase in syphilis and congenital syphilis in Alaska, clinicians need to think about syphilis, increase testing, and increase the number of people who test positive or who have been exposed to syphilis in the past. “We need to provide prompt treatment for 90 days,” Zink and McLaughlin wrote.
Since infections reached historic lows around 2001, the number of syphilis cases has steadily increased nationally and among a wide range of demographic groups.
“Incidence rates increased in all regions of the United States, in all age groups, and in both men and women.” According to the CDC’s 2021 edition, the prevalence of syphilis (primary and secondary) increased in all races/ There was an increase among Hispanic ethnic groups, with the largest increase among non-Hispanic American Indians or Alaska Natives. National overview Research on sexually transmitted diseases.
Public health experts are Linked interest rate increase Suspension of sexual health screening during the early lockdown phase of the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced rates of sexually transmitted infections across the country, resulting in fewer in-person medical visits and reducing the spread of infection. Detection and early intervention leading to decreased outcomes. Epidemiologists also say online dating apps allow people seeking sex to connect with more partners, potentially contributing to further infections.
The state health department is directing people to get tested at the following locations: public health center Tour the state or find out more On the STD awareness webpage.