#Alaska sees surge in syphilis cases amid COVID-19 pandemic
“#Alaska sees surge in syphilis cases amid COVID-19 pandemic”
July 31, 2020 | 6:58pm
According to local media reports, the state’s Department of Health and Social Services said sexually transmitted diseases are at an all-time high nationwide and in Alaska. The State of Alaska Epidemiology Bulletin on syphilis, published Thursday, stated the number of cases of the sexually transmitted disease doubled in 2019, and health officials are concerned the numbers will reach a similar high in 2020.
“This is a reminder that as we battle the COVID-19 pandemic, there are other outbreaks that need our attention,” Dr. Joe McLaughlin, Alaska’s State Epidemiologist, said in a statement to local TV outlet KTUU-2.
A syphilis outbreak in Alaska was first declared in 2018. At the time, 114 cases were reported to state epidemiologists. But by 2019, the number of syphilis cases rose to 242, representing a 112 percent increase.
Many factors contributed to the climb in cases. Among them were methamphetamine and heroin use, homelessness and a history of incarceration within 12 months prior to the survey, according to the state’s Epidemiology Bulletin.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended states with STD clinics to open under capacity restrictions in an effort to prioritize patients who have STD symptoms and groups that are considered high risk, the local outlet reported.
To reduce the spread of the disease, the department advised Alaskans to take precautions, get tested regularly and seek treatment and inform their partner if they are positive, according to KTUU-2.
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