Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — An alarming surge of syphilis cases has been observed by the Salt Lake County Health Department, mirroring the nationwide data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This year, there has been a drastic doubling of female cases in Salt Lake County, with Lynn Beltran, the epidemiology supervisor, confirming a total of 278 cases in men and 320 cases in women.
The health department unveiled data indicating an 800% increase in syphilis cases among young women from 2018 to 2022. Shockingly, 89% of cases were among women aged 15-44.
The spike in this age group signifies a higher risk of newborn syphilis in the community, as the county has reported four cases of congenital syphilis in newborns this year.
Dr. Andrew Pavia, the director of epidemiology at Primary Children’s Hospital, expressed his concern over the syphilis exposure in pregnant women, noting that they have evaluated approximately 35 to 40 such cases this year.
Dr. Angela C. Dunn, executive director of the Salt Lake County Health Department, described newborn syphilis as particularly unfortunate, highlighting its preventability through proper access to syphilis testing, treatment, and prenatal care for women.
Notably, syphilis rates in Salt Lake County have increased by 65% overall from 2018 to 2022. The spike is reported among all individuals and not just women, although it is not as dramatic.
The CDC advises that all pregnant women undergo syphilis testing early in their pregnancy and that individuals with multiple or anonymous sexual partners should be tested for syphilis at prescribed intervals.
Health care providers are encouraged to commence syphilis treatment promptly upon detection of a positive rapid test result.
Syphilis is a curable sexually transmitted infection that, if left untreated, can cause serious health problems. Typical symptoms include skin issues, rashes, and bumps. For more information, visit CDC.gov.
For testing and resources in Salt Lake County, visit SLCO.org.
