Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

Release Date:             For Immediate Release

Contact Person:          Mark Valacak

                                    Community Health Director

Genesee County Health Department

Phone:                         (810) 257-3812

RE:                              Syphilis Outbreak Continues

To date, 41 cases of syphilis have been reported in Genesee County for 2008, a number twenty times greater than reported at this same time last year. Many of the cases are being found during early stages of the disease indicating ongoing transmission occurring in Genesee County.  

In April 2008, the Genesee County Health Department (GCHD) reported that Genesee County is experiencing an outbreak of syphilis. GCHD staff continues its work with experts from the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) to control and stop the outbreak. Widespread outreach is being conducted to alert those at highest risk. GCHD staff are also working with community organizations and businesses to offer onsite and after hours testing for syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases.

The GCHD is urging those who are at high risk of contracting syphilis, or suspect they may have syphilis, to be tested. Behaviors that increase the risk of contracting syphilis that have been associated with this outbreak include having unprotected sex with multiple partners and participating in the exchange of sex for drugs or money. Men who have sex with men in Genesee County are also at higher risk of becoming infected with syphilis at this time.

Syphilis is detected with a simple blood test and is curable with antibiotics.

For more information about syphilis and STD testing please call (810) 257-3887 or visit the GCHD website at www.gchd.us.

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