Campaign reminds Chicagoans that syphilis is curable and treatable and encourages getting tested

Today, The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) released a new Healthy Chicago special surveillance report on syphilis in Chicago and is taking the opportunity to remind residents that syphilis is curable and a treatable condition when identified early. CDPH's "Get Tested Chicago" campaign encourages individuals to get tested for HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI), including syphilis and helps get them into care. The campaign is a program initiative of Healthy Chicago, the City's new public health plan with a vision of making Chicago the healthiest city in the nation.

According to the new report, the number of primary and secondary syphilis cases in Chicago increased by 23% since 2009. In 2010 there were 686 reported cases compared to 561 in 2009.

"We are concerned with these numbers and we are taking immediate actions to address the increase with a concentrated effort on the most affected populations. We know from past experience that focused programmatic and public awareness efforts like Get Tested Chicago, have been effective in reducing sexually transmitted infections," said Dr. Bechara Choucair, Commissioner for the Chicago Department of Public Health.

Some of the highlights from the report are as follows:

-- The overwhelming majority of cases were found in men (88%). This reflects the ongoing outbreak among men who have sex with men, which compromise 50% of the cases reported in men.

-- The number of infections increased among women, 31 cases reported in 2009 compared to 84 cases reported in 2010; and in heterosexual males, 40 cases reported in 2009 compared to 86 cases reported in 2010.

-- In 2010, the highest proportion of cases occurred in Blacks (59%), and among 20-29 year olds (38%).

-- Hispanics represented 13% percent of the syphilis cases reported in 2010, which represents a 33% increase in the number of cases compared to 2009. There were 69 cases reported in 2009 compared to 92 cases reported in 2010.

-- Over the last two years, significant changes were reported in the percentage of primary and secondary syphilis cases in the age group 20-29. In 2010, the majority of cases were in age group 20-29 (38%) compared to 26% in 2008.

-- Communities affected with the highest reported cases of syphilis were,

Uptown, Lakeview, Austin, Edgewater and Rogers Park.

In response, CDPH is implementing new measures as well as strengthening existing programs aimed at raising public awareness about

syphilis and increasing prevention efforts, education and routine testing.

Some examples include:

A public awareness campaign about Syphilis called "Get Tested Chicago" that includes targeted billboards, radio PSA's and bus advertisements aimed at early detection, testing and awareness.

A dedicated website, www.gettestedchicago.com listing all of the testing sites around the State of Illinois and more information about syphilis.

Enhanced collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cook County and the State of Illinois on a joint syphilis elimination/control task force to leverage community resources to promote disease prevention messaging and intervention.

The formation of focus groups and community forums with high-risk populations to increase conversations about syphilis to strengthen public partnerships and develop community wide strategies to combat syphilis.

Inform the medical community about the syphilis epidemic and provide training and education.

About syphilis

It is important to remind people that syphilis is a curable and treatable condition, but when left untreated it can cause serious health complications and is even life threatening. Syphilis is passed during vaginal, anal or oral sex and starts with a single painless lesion that develops within three or four weeks at the site of entry into the body, and often goes unnoticed. If untreated, it can progress to a non-itchy rash on the trunk of the body, palms of the hands or soles of the feet. Symptoms may be confused with other conditions and are commonly overlooked completely. Pregnant women infected with syphilis can pass it to their unborn child and can cause permanent harm or death.

CDPH recommends people who think they may have been exposed to an STI seek medical care. Information on testing is available by calling 1-800-AID-AIDS or by visiting www.gettestedchicago.com