ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Alaska health officials are sounding the alarm over a significant increase in cases of syphilis in the state, calling for more adults to undergo regular testing. According to data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, syphilis cases have been on the rise across the country in recent years, with Alaska experiencing one of the largest surges.
In 2016, Alaska reported only 20 cases of syphilis for the entire year, but in 2022, that number skyrocketed to 424 cases, marking a more than twenty-fold increase. In response to this rapid rise, the CDC now recommends that most adults under the age of 45 in Alaska should be tested for syphilis at least once this year, according to a statement released by the Alaska Department of Health.
Alaska currently has one of the highest rates of syphilis in the country, said Dr. Anne Zink, the state’s chief medical officer. She emphasized the need for individuals of reproductive age who are sexually active to get tested for syphilis if they are unsure of their status. Zink also stressed the importance of retesting with each new sexual partner, and for those with multiple partners, retesting every 3-6 months.
Syphilis, caused by the Treponema pallidum bacteria, can be easily treated with antibiotics in its early stages. Initial symptoms usually include small painless sores or chancres that typically disappear after a few weeks, even without treatment. However, if left untreated, the infection can persist in the body and develop into a serious, and potentially fatal, condition. It can affect major organs, invade the nervous system, and lead to vision loss, cognitive changes, or dementia.
Of particular concern to Alaska public health officials is the record number of babies being born with congenital syphilis, a condition passed from an infected mother to her infant. In 2022, the state diagnosed 12 cases of congenital syphilis, primarily among babies born in Southcentral Alaska.
To combat this alarming increase in syphilis and congenital syphilis cases, health officials are urging clinicians to prioritize syphilis testing and promptly administer treatment to those who test positive or have been exposed to the infection in the past 90 days, as stated in a December letter sent to Alaska healthcare providers.
The rise in syphilis cases is not unique to Alaska but is part of a nationwide trend. Since reaching a historic low in 2001, syphilis rates have been steadily increasing across the United States and among various demographic groups, according to the CDC’s 2021 National Overview of Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
Experts believe that the disruptions in sexual health screening during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to fewer in-person medical visits, contributed to the rise in STD rates. Online dating apps have also been identified as a factor in the transmission of infections, as they enable people to connect with multiple partners.
In light of the situation, the Alaska Department of Health is encouraging people to get tested for syphilis at public health centers throughout the state or visit their STD awareness webpage for more information. Regular testing and early intervention are crucial in curbing the spread of syphilis and protecting the health of individuals and their communities.