North Carolina: Durham Syphilis Rates Fall

New Durham County syphilis cases have been reduced by almost half since 42 cases were reported in 2002, with 22 cases reported in 2003 and eight cases reported between January and June this year. The cuts in new cases have been helped in part by the outreach efforts of the field services unit of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. In addition to ensuring that infected people are treated, the units collect information about patients' sexual partners and habits to learn more about syphilis and stop its spread.

Health care providers are required to report HIV and syphilis results to the field services units, said Todd Vanhoy, manager of the state's eight regional units. Unit intervention specialists are authorized to view patients' files and have a CDC mandate to track down at least 90 percent of people testing positive for syphilis. Specialists protect the privacy of people exposed or infected, notifying patients and partners in person when possible.

In 2002, Durham County's syphilis rates began climbing for men ages 26-55 and female prostitutes. Disease intervention specialists identified the social networks of those at greatest disease risk and targeted the venues frequented by the groups. The state's specialists have tracked down 96 percent of the almost 250 infected with syphilis, and almost 400 of their partners, during the first six months of this year.

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