The Louisiana Department of Health has issued an alert for healthcare providers in the Alexandria area over a significant increase in the number of new syphilis cases.
Region Six Medical Director Dr. David Holcombe said the number of early syphilis cases among women was up 62 percent from 2019 to 2020 and Alexandria is only 6 percent of the state’s population but accounts for 13 percent of new early syphilis cases.
“The percentage of women is actually increasing and these are childbearing age women and so it only follows that there will be an increase in congenital syphilis cases, and those have actually doubled,” said Holcombe.
The number of new cases has been rising since 2017 where only 43 cases were reported. In 2020 178 cases were reported.
Holcombe said the bacterial infection can spread quickly once it’s out in the community.
“A few cases have had up to 40 contacts, that is not helpful because it really spreads the disease throughout the community at a lightning rate,” said Holcombe.
Those with syphilis will usually see a painless sore growing on their genitals, rectum, or mouth. That will eventually become a rash. Years later they can suffer a number of severe impacts to their nervous system, brain, eyes, or heart.
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