ALASKA: Officials Rush to Stem Flare of Syphilis

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

ALASKA: Officials Rush to Stem Flare of Syphilis

Anchorage Daily News (12.14.04) - Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Ann Potempa

Alaska health officials are investigating a recent syphilis outbreak occurring primarily among men who have sex with men (MSM). The state Section of Epidemiology (SoE) is tracking six cases of infectious syphilis reported between Sept. 15 and Dec. 10. Five of the men reside in Anchorage and one in Southeast, a health bulletin issued by SoE said Monday. All of the infected men are between ages 21 and 42.

Dr. Beth Funk, acting state epidemiologist, said cases of infectious syphilis are rare in Alaska, so to have six cases reported in less than three months is an "unusual event." According to the bulletin, it has been nearly 10 years since Alaska had a period with more than two syphilis cases. "In the past several years, we've not had any infectious syphilis," said Cathy Feaster, program manager for the Reproductive Health Clinic at the Anchorage Department of Health and Human Services.

Together with the Anchorage health department, state officials are seeking possible sex partners of the infected men and encouraging them to be tested. Over the weekend, the Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association began passing out fliers and making announcements that promote testing and safe sex, said Trevor Storrs, its executive director.

The bulletin noted several of the infected men may have contracted syphilis through sex partners outside the state. Some of the MSM have also had female sex partners, and health officials stressed that syphilis can be transmitted through vaginal, anal or oral sex.

For additional information, telephone Anchorage's Reproductive Health Clinic at 907-343-4623 or the state Section of Epidemiology at 907-269-8000.
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