COVID-19 interferes with state response to syphilis outbreaks

State epidemiology recently reported the largest case of syphilis in the state, with records dating back to the 1970s. In 2019, about 250 people reported cases of syphilis. This is more than double the number of cases from the previous year.

After that, COVID-19 appeared.

Alaska is ranked in the top quarter of the STD cases. The outbreak of syphilis began two years ago and the number of cases continues to grow. Public health experts now say that the pandemic of COVID-19 is preventing access to sexually transmitted diseases.

“People can’t stop having sex because of a pandemic,” said Susan Jones, a registered nurse and HIV/STD program manager in the state’s Epidemiology Department.

“COVID’s pandemic is capable of full-scale operation, impeding public health’s ability to respond to the ever-increasing number of cases of syphilis,” Jones said. “Therefore, we need to send a message to let individuals at risk of syphilis come in and be inspected and treated.”

She said some people who need to be screened may now avoid clinics and hospitals. The best public health weapon against syphilis is contact tracking. But recently, the department has been overwhelmed by COVID-19. Jones’ epidemiology section is now the exponential center of COVID-19, so staff normally working on STDs were fighting the coronavirus. Mr Jones said some staff had to quit the pandemic and return to syphilis prevention.

But she said COVID-19 was not due to last year’s spikes. Federal and state funding for STD prevention has declined.

“I think the structure of public health has declined over the years. Looking at the nursing section, and the depletion of funding and staff in the nursing section, is negatively impacting our ability to control outbreaks. “Said Jones.

Syphilis is easy to treat. It is usually a bacterial infection transmitted by sexual contact. Symptoms are usually painless pain in the mucous membranes of the lips and genitals. There is usually a rash. But they disappear, and some people may not know they have it. However, if left untreated, it can affect the heart, brain, and other organs.

Alaskan syphilis spans all age groups, from teens to the elderly. Mostly heterosexual.

Mr Jones says outreach is much more difficult to perform because he doesn’t see the patient directly for a particular population at risk. One-third of last year’s cases also reported the use of methamphetamine or heroin. A quarter of syphilis patients were homeless and a quarter were imprisoned.

“Before we went out, we were out at places where we could find individuals, hang out and provide places like parks and free outdoor clinic inspection clinics in such places. He even went to a homeless camp, but he doesn’t, so some people may not be diagnosed,” Jones said.

These undiagnosed people are the reason that her estimates will lead to an even higher number of cases of syphilis this year. If the current trend continues, she says this year’s number could be close to 300 cases.

Not only in Alaska, but the state has a high incidence of sexually transmitted diseases. The combined rates of syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea are among the highest in other parts of the country.

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