Title: Houston Health Department Reports Surge in Congenital Syphilis Cases
Subtitle: Rapid Outreach Response Launched to Combat Alarming Increase
Houston, TX – The Houston Health Department (HHD) has sounded the alarm after witnessing a distressing outbreak of congenital syphilis in Houston and Harris County. The latest data reveals a significant spike of 128% in cases among women, while the overall rise in new infections stands at a staggering 57%. The HHD has reported 674 cases in 2022, compared to 295 cases in 2019, representing a nine-fold increase.
Congenital syphilis, characterized by the transmission of the disease from mother to unborn child, has experienced an alarming surge from 16 cases in 2016 to 151 cases in 2021, according to the latest available statistics. These worrisome figures highlight the urgent need for pregnant women to seek prenatal care and syphilis testing to safeguard against potentially fatal consequences for their babies.
Marlene McNeese Ward, deputy assistant director in the department’s Bureau of HIV/STI and Viral Hepatitis Prevention, stressed, “It is crucial for pregnant women to seek prenatal care and syphilis testing to protect themselves from an infection that could result in the deaths of their babies. A pregnant woman needs to get tested for syphilis three times during her pregnancy.”
To address the outbreak and mitigate its spread, the Houston Health Department has launched a rapid outreach response. This comprehensive approach includes increasing screening opportunities, targeting hotspots, and mobilizing community partners to curb new infections.
As part of the response, the department will waive all clinical fees pertaining to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at its health centers. Moreover, efforts will be focused on expanding the use of the HIV/STD mobile clinic to enhance community screening and set up in areas deemed hotspots based on disease monitoring and case management data. These measures will enable intensified education, testing, and treatment throughout Houston and Harris County.
Collaboration with medical providers and community-based partners is also integral to the department’s response plan. By collaborating with these stakeholders, the aim is to increase awareness of the outbreak and improve testing and treatment options.
Symptoms and treatment of syphilis were also highlighted in the announcement. Syphilis, in its early stages, is easily treatable with antibiotics. However, if left untreated, the infection progresses to the secondary stage, presenting with a non-itchy rash on the palms and soles, as well as other symptoms such as fever, sore throat, hair loss, and muscle aches. Complications can arise when the bacterium that causes syphilis, Treponema pallidum, begins to damage internal organs, including the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones, and joints.
The Houston Health Department strongly recommends syphilis testing for pregnant women at their initial prenatal visit, during the third trimester, and at delivery (as required by state law). Additionally, those who have engaged in unprotected sex, men with anonymous sex partners, individuals with multiple sex partners, and those recently diagnosed with other sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, Chlamydia, or HIV should also undergo testing.
To obtain information about testing sites and syphilis, individuals can contact the department’s HIV/STD information hotline at 832-393-5010.
In combatting this outbreak, the Houston Health Department remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the health and well-being of the community, ensuring that no pregnant woman or infant suffers the devastating consequences of congenital syphilis.
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