On Wednesday at the 2008 National STD Prevention Conference in Chicago, CDC researchers said US syphilis cases rose in 2007 for the seventh year in a row. From 2006 to 2007, the syphilis rate increased about 12 percent to approximately 3.7 cases per 100,000 people. Rates of the STD have climbed 76 percent since 2000, when there were 2.1 cases per 100,000.
Last year, 11,181 cases were recorded, compared to 9,756 in 2006, CDC said. In men, the rate increased 14 percent to 6.4 cases per 100,000 - a 146 percent jump from 2000. CDC researchers said the rise mostly reflects increases among gay men. About 60 percent of syphilis cases last year occurred in gay men, compared with just 5 percent in 1999, the preliminary CDC data showed.
Among black men, rates jumped 25 percent to nearly 22 cases per 100,000. Rates among black women increased 12 percent to about 5 cases per 100,000.
Public health officials speculate the rise may be attributed to an increase in high-risk sex among gay men, including African Americans.
"The resurgence of syphilis among men who have sex with men represents a formidable challenge to our STD prevention efforts, but one that is surmountable," said Dr. Kevin Fenton, director of CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention.
Dr. John M. Douglas Jr., director of the agency's Division of STD Prevention, said CDC is working to implement broader screening and better prevention initiatives. "While STD screening is by no means the only weapon; it is certainly one of our best tools for ensuring prompt diagnosis and treatment and slowing the transmission of these diseases," he said.
"People need to be aware of early signs and symptoms to seek care," said Douglas. Physicians "need to know it's there and needs to be looked for."
CDC's final 2007 figures will be released later this year in its annual STD surveillance report.
03/12/08
UNITED STATES: CDC Reports Syphilis Cases Up for 7th Straight Year
Source: Associated Press:: Lindsey Tanner; Courtesy of the CDC National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention