Jacksonville, Florida Ranks Low in Syphilis

According to the latest CDC data, Jacksonville ranked 18th among 25 major US cities in the rate of syphilis for 2004. Jacksonville reported 70 cases of primary and secondary syphilis for a rate of 8.6 cases per 100,000 people, lower than Miami's rate (9.1) but higher than New York City's (7.7).

Citing more recent information, local officials say incidence of the disease is down this year. Chip Seaman, an STD program manger for the Duval County Health Department, said the county recorded 45 cases from Jan. 1 through Oct. 31. Increased screening is credited: Seaman said the department screens 3,000 inmates annually and an additional 3,000 county residents through a mobile outreach program. African Americans accounted for almost 80 percent of the cases, Seaman said.

"We're putting the money in up-front to try to stem the flow," said Seaman. "We know that people with syphilis are two to five times more likely to contract HIV, and we want to prevent that. We are focusing on the poor and underserved communities to reach out and screen people for their contacts."

State health department statistics show that Clay and St. Johns countries each reported one case of syphilis in 2004.

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