Syphilis on Increase on Central Coast, Nov. 13

Public Health Officials Note An Unprecedented Increase In Lincoln County Syphilis Cases. Lincoln County Public Health has received reports of 12 new syphilis cases in the last 12 months here in Lincoln County. According to Lincoln County Public Health Officer David Long, MD, there were no syphilis cases in Lincoln County between 2004- 2009. Between 2009 to 2014, the number of syphilis cases in the county ranged from zero – 2 cases per year.   This unprecedented increase in the number of confirmed syphilis cases in the last 12 months in Lincoln County is a serious concern to Public Health officials. More than half of the new syphilis cases in Lincoln County have occurred in women of childbearing age. Lincoln County’s increase in total syphilis cases is similar to the trend seen in Oregon. Oregon Health Authority infectious disease expert Sean Schafer, MD, reports that syphilis cases in Oregon have increased 1,500% since 2007—from fewer than 30 reported cases to approximately 450 reported cases during 2015. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection that can be cured with antibiotics if treated in its early stages.