WYOMING — The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) has reported that the state has seen a marked increase in syphilis cases in the state over the past several years, to the tune of a 54 percent increase in cases since 2018.
Syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI), can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.
“There were 43 cases in 2018 and 66 cases in 2022,” WDH’s Communicable Disease Unit Surveillance Program Manager Reginald McClinton said in a statement. “With syphilis, we have a particular concern related to pregnancy.”
The STI can be fatal to both carriers and their unborn children, according to WDH.
“Up to 40 percent of babies born to people with untreated syphilis may be stillborn, or die from the infection as a newborn,” WDH State Health Officer and State Epidemiologist Dr. Alexia Harrist said in a statement. “We know this is preventable with appropriate testing and treatment. Fortunately, we have not had any reports of infant deaths in Wyoming due to this infection in recent years.”
Wyoming’s increase in cases is not an anomaly — between 2020 and 2021, the U.S. saw a 32 percent increase in syphilis cases.
“Sadly, this resulted in 220 stillbirths and infant deaths across the country,” McClinton said.
In addition to potential childbirth complications, the WDH warns that syphilis can lead to additional infections.
“One concern we have is a potential increase in co-infections in our state, especially with syphilis and HIV,” WDH Communicable Disease Prevention Program Manager Leslie Fowler said. “While sexually transmitted infections sometimes make their presence known through symptoms such as itching, burning, discharge or visible sores, most people have no symptoms. That’s why we always say the only way to know your STI status, for sure, is to get tested.”
The department attributes the rise in cases to unprotected sex and injection drug use.
WDH recommends that all sexually active people get tested for STIs. Repeat testing for syphilis is recommended for pregnant people if: the patient or partner have other sexual partners, the patient uses injection or intranasal drugs or the patient has unprofessionally applied or homemade tattoos or piercings.
The Center for Disease Control says that consistent and correct use of latex condoms reduces the risk for genital ulcer diseases, including syphilis.
Wyomingites can access free condoms, sex education resources, STI information and low or no-cost STI testing through WDH. More information is available through the www.KnoWyo.org website. See WDH’s website for further STI information.
