Houston health authorities have warned that a recent syphilis outbreak has caused a spike in cases among women across the city, igniting concerns about safe sex practices among those in the area.
According to the Houston Health Department, cases of the outbreak have spiked 128%, leading to a nine-fold increase in congenital syphilis in Houston and Harris County.
Data shows that new infections climbed by 57%, from 1,845 in 2019 to 2,905 in 2022. Furthermore, congenital syphilis rose from 16 cases in 2016 to 151 cases in 2021.
Following the news, officials say they are launching a rapid outreach response to combat the rise, to include more screening opportunities while targeting hotspots and engaging members in those communities to control new infections.
“It is crucial for pregnant women to seek prenatal care and syphilis testing to protect themselves from an infection that could result in the deaths of their babies,” Marlene McNeese Ward, deputy assistant director in the department’s Bureau of HIV/STI and Viral Hepatitis Prevention, said in a statement. “A pregnant woman needs to get tested for syphilis three times during her pregnancy.”
The department further added that it will waive all fees for sexually transmitted infections at its health centers and will mobilize increased use of its HIV and STD clinics in the area.
Medical providers are also partnering with members in aforementioned communities to increase awareness and expand resources to ramp up testing and treatment.
Medical professionals recommend that women test for syphilis three times: at a woman’s first prenatal visit, during her third trimester and at delivery.
The news comes less than one week after several women were infected with HIV after getting a “vampire facial” at the Albuquerque spa, the New Mexico Department of Health confirmed.
The Department of Health announced it launched an investigation into the spa, and requests that all former clients who have received injection-related services, including vampire facials and Botox, be tested for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
In a former investigation, the health department said it had administered testing to over 100 clients, but they have asked that all clients who received negative results test again.
