Officials Report Syphilis Increase in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania health authorities have told hospitals in Westmoreland County to be on the lookout for syphilis after a spike in reported cases. "It's a serious problem and we want people to be aware of it," said Dr. Bruce Dixon, county health director. "But we'll get the numbers back down again, I'm sure."

There have been 20 cases of the STD in Westmoreland County in the last six months, said Richard McGarvey, a spokesperson for the state Department of Health. Prior to the recent cases, there had not been a case of syphilis reported in the county since 1985. Almost all of the cases have been tied to prostitution or drug use, McGarvey said. There has also been an increase in cases reported in Allegheny County. There were four cases reported in 2000, 11 cases in 2001, and there have been eight cases reported in the first four months of this year. The number of syphilis cases statewide decreased from 123 in 1997 to 78 in 2000. Early indications show a slight rise last year to about 98 cases.

The CDC recorded 5,979 cases nationwide in 2000, down nearly 10 percent from 1999. Syphilis cases are down 30 percent since 1997, when health officials launched a national plant to eliminate it.

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