LANSING — Facing a significant increase in reported cases of
syphilis infections, the Ingham County Health Department says it’s the
midst of an outbreak of the sexually transmitted bacterial infection.

“An outbreak is defined as any incidence of disease that exceeds the
usual and expected incidence,” said Renee Canady, deputy health officer
for the Ingham County Health Department. “So by formal definition, we
would have to refer to this situation as a syphilis outbreak.”

And exceeding the usual or expected incidence of syphilis is exactly
where Ingham County is today with syphilis cases. But the county is not
alone and local health officials across the state are on the lookout
for signs of what could be a worsening situation.

In February, Ingham County called the first month of 2009 “alarming” because of a hike in the number of reported syphilis cases. Then it was only three, the same number the county, home to the state capital and East Lansing, had reported in all of 2008.

On Monday, Ingham health officials said that as
of the beginning of this month, the number has jumped to 18 reported
cases. Of those 18, 10 are considered infectious cases, meaning they
are in primary or secondary stages. Eight are in the latent stage or
have progressed to third stage indicators such as neuro-syphilis, where
the bacteria attacks the brain and central nervous system. Persons with
HIV are more likely to progress, and more quickly, to this level of
infection.

In February, Kent County officials also expressed concerns about the
increasing number of cases of syphilis in the men-who-have-sex-with-men
category, but the health department there moved quickly to slow the
cluster from gaining ground. In February, the department reported four
confirmed cases. As of last week, Kent County had eight confirmed
cases.

Bridie Kent, spokeswoman for the Kent County Health Department was
unable to answer how the cases were transmitted, nor was she able to
indicate how many people had been confirmed with the late stage,
non-infectious version of the infection. Kent County, home to Grand
Rapids, reported eight cases in all of 2008.

Health officials there said the county was able to stem the spread of the bacteria through effective community networking.

According to an Kent County Health Department explanation of the measures taken:

First, we were pleased by the amount of partners of
infected individuals that we were able to reach through case
investigations. By reaching these individuals, we could then epi-treat
and educate on safer sex choices. Next, we are fortunate to have strong
connections to local health care professionals, who were notified of
the cluster and asked to increase testing and surveillance in their
offices. Also, we increased syphilis screening in our own clinic. As
you are aware, HIV takes a high toll on our MSM population. West
Michigan is an area rich in resources for treatment and support of
those living with HIV. One such resource is the St. Mary’s Advanced
Immunology Services (formerly McAuley Health Center). In response to
the syphilis cluster, the clinic began implementing syphilis screening
for clients with every visit (as opposed to the once a year per client
they typically offer testing). Finally, as I mentioned on the phone,
our staff have established strong connections in the community with
local nightclubs, bars, shops, and health clubs frequented by our MSM
population. Owners were very supportive about spreading the word,
encouraging patrons to get tested, and posting our health advisory. We
need to continue our surveillance and increased vigilance in the wake
of this cluster because, as with any infection, we could see a
resurgence at any time.

According to Vennishia Smith, HIV/AIDS and STI prevention
coordinator at the Ingham County Health Department, the county is
ramping up its plans to address the spread of syphilis. Among the
department’s plans are outreach efforts through the Lansing Area AIDS
Network at local gay clubs, as well as information cards and posters
made available at those bars. Smith also said the department, through
LAAN, operates a profile on a website designed for sexually active gay
men.

In Washtenaw County, which includes Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, has
seen six cases of syphilis, three of which were in people who are
HIV-positive. The county also clocked an additional two cases in the
third stage. In all of 2008, Washtenaw County saw nine cases of
reportable syphilis. Cathy Wilczynski, program director of the Adult
Health Clinic at the Washtenaw County Health Department, said the
county has noticed a trend of increased numbers of sexually transmitted
infections in young people, particularly African Americans and sexually
active gay men.

Double diagnosis: Realities of the spreading threat

One of the six reported syphilis cases in Washtenaw County was in a
24-year-old man who recently learned he had also contracted HIV. The
man, who spoke with Michigan Messenger on the condition of anonymity so
he could talk openly about his very difficult personal health
situation, had been suffering from swollen lymphnodes and low grade
fevers for at least two months. But when the morning sore throat
started, he searched online an explanation. What he found drove him to
his doctor’s office, where blood was drawn. Days later, the doctor’s
office confirmed that he had both HIV and syphilis.

“They said they think I have had it a long time. Like maybe a year
or longer,” he said. “That’s why I got three shots instead of just one.
Three shots in the ass.”

The shots were antibiotics, which quickly destroys the bacteria that
causes syphilis, which has been a problem for sexually active humans
for centuries.

The case of the 24-year-old from Washtenaw County highlights one of
the problems public health officials have in combating diseases like
syphilis. The disease can manifest with little or no visible symptoms,
allowing the bacteria to settle in and lay dormant in the body for
years. Then the bacteria comes back, attacking the internal organs
including the brain and the central nervous system. This nearly
invisible microbe can lead to infections in unborn children.

In Genesee County last year, officials tracked an outbreak that included more than 100 confirmed cases, including five where the bacteria infected a child during pregnancy.

“It’s unfortunate,” said Washtenaw’s Wilcynski. “We know that if you
put yourself at risk for chlamydia or gonorrhea, it won’t be long
before you are exposed to HIV, herpes, HPV or other diseases.”