Scotland: Number of Syphilis Cases Triples Since 1999

Syphilis and other STDs are increasing in Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom, according to latest figures. Western Scotland has seen a three-fold increase since 1999 in the number of people diagnosed with syphilis, and doctors are also treating more cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea. Ayrshire and Arran Health Board said there had also been a rise in the number of recorded cases in Irvine. In England, a new report revealed a dramatic increase in syphilis cases, with the number of people infected between 1998 and 2000 more than doubling.

Health experts are now calling for a campaign to raise public awareness. "In the year to March 1999 there were seven cases of syphilis in the West of Scotland," said Dr. Andy Winter of the Sandyford Institute in Glasgow. "This rose to 21 between June 2001 and July 2002. Other infections are also on the increase including gonorrhea, which Glasgow has seen an unprecedented rise in since 1995, and also chlamydia," he said.

Commenting on the data released in England, Winter said the figures had risen sharply since the report was written six months ago. "It was only published yesterday and doesn't mention new outbreaks in London and Manchester where cases have gone up to 350 and 280, respectively," said Winter. Health care experts blame the surge in syphilis on complacency and are calling for an urgent review of sex education and awareness campaigns.

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