By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

Ireland’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) reported 36 additional syphilis cases the week ending September 18. 29 cases, or 80 percent were reported from the Dublin area.

Image/CDC

This brings the cumulative total for the year to date to 565 syphilis cases, a 45 percent increase over 2020’s 388 cases reported at the same time last year.

A national outbreak was declared and is under investigation in Ireland since June 2021.

Syphilis is easily treated but highly infectious, and many people with the condition often don’t develop symptoms.

HSE Ireland says that if left untreated, syphilis can cause “serious health problems” to the heart, brain, eyes and nervous system that could take years to develop. It can also pass from pregnant women to their child, potentially causing serious harm.

Congenital syphilis in the US: Highest case count since 1994

Japan reports 4300 syphilis cases through the end of August

Canada: Alberta syphilis cases highest in 73 years

Syphilis: Worldwide prevalence of syphilis among MSM 15x higher than men in the general population