There is an outbreak of syphilis in the USA: this has not been seen since the 1950s

A major syphilis outbreak is sweeping the United States, with incidence at its highest level since the 1950s, reports Dailymail.

Photo: IStock

An annual report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that in 2022, the latest year available, 207 cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) that can cause genital sores were diagnosed nationwide and in the mouth.

This represents an increase of 17% for the year and 83% compared to five years ago.

On the subject: Neuralink implanted chip in human brain: Musk says subject is 'recovering well'

The data showed a 30 percent increase in cases of congenital syphilis (when a mother passes the disease to her baby), which is particularly alarming because it puts children at risk of stillbirth and birth defects.

Overall, the data showed that 2022 million Americans were infected with STDs in 2,5. But while other diseases such as chlamydia have remained stagnant, cases of syphilis have increased.

“Within the epidemic, syphilis is the only infection that stands apart. This has become a unique public health problem,” said Dr. Laura Bachmann, acting director of the CDC's Division of STD Prevention.

Incidence rate

US Health and Human Services Commissioner Xavier Becerra called the numbers "unacceptable."

“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to addressing this urgent problem and using every available means to eliminate disparities in our health care system,” he said.

The relevant department said it would create a new working group that will focus on reducing the incidence of syphilis in the United States.

In the 1940s and 1950s, syphilis rates fell sharply amid successful public health campaigns and the widespread use of condoms and penicillin.

By the late 1990s, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed a National Plan to Eliminate Syphilis in the United States, declaring that the goal was within reach.

But over the past decade there has been an increase in the spread of the disease. Experts cite a variety of reasons for the increase, including declining condom use, fewer local sexual health clinics and widespread drug use.

Deadly danger

Syphilis is a bacterial infection spread by contact with sores, which usually appear around the pubic area or mouth.

Symptoms appear within three to four weeks of infection and are often not noticed or ignored. They resemble mild abrasions or prickly heat.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants, and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read all this on ForumDaily New Y

The disease then progresses to the second stage, when the ulcer disappears and is replaced by a rash that can last for weeks. Without treatment, the disease can spread to the brain and spinal cord, causing complications including headaches, stroke, meningitis or inflammation of the protective lining of the brain.

This disease is of particular concern in pregnant women because the bacteria can infect the placenta and the developing baby. It causes complications including vision and hearing loss and low birth weight.

Treatment of the disease includes, among other things, injections of antibiotics.

CDC data showed that 2022 babies were born with congenital syphilis in the United States in 3755, 10 times more than a decade ago and 31% more than the previous year. Of these, 282 were stillborn.

South Dakota currently has the highest rate of syphilis, with 84 cases per 100 people. That's more than double the rate in the second-highest state, New Mexico.

Experts have said the outbreak in South Dakota is linked to infections transmitted among Native Americans.

The data showed that among those diagnosed with syphilis, 29% were men who had sex only with men. Another 22,6% of cases were found among men who have sex with women, and 24,8% among women.

“We cannot continue to use prevention strategies developed decades ago to combat today’s epidemic. People need testing and treatment,” experts say unanimously.

“I think the epidemic is spreading among the cisgender heterosexual population because we're not really testing for it,” said Dr. Philip Chen, a medical officer at Brown University. “We’re not really looking for him.”

Read also on ForumDaily:

65 murders in 4 weeks: State Department advises Americans not to visit Jamaica

How to make your LinkedIn profile attractive to employers: 8 life hacks

Amazon Prime will add advertising to movie and TV streams: users cancel subscriptions en masse

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.