NewsDesk @bactiman63

Japan’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) reports 4,086 syphilis cases through April 19.

syphilis
Image/CDC

Tokyo has reported the most cases with 1,072, followed by Osaka with 516 cases and Hokkaido with 269.

Japan reported more than 5,000 syphilis cases three years straight and two consecutive years with more than 6,000 cases–Prior to 2018, the last time Japan saw more than 6,000 syphilis cases was 48 years ago.

In 2021, Japan eclipsed the 7,000 case mark with 7,873 syphilis cases.

Last year, the country saw more than 12,000 cases, the highest number of the sexually transmitted infection since records have been kept.

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Syphilis is a sexually-transmitted disease (STD) that can cause long-term complications if not treated correctly. Symptoms of syphilis in adults include a painless sore that will go away without treatment followed by a non-itchy body rash. If left untreated syphilis can lead to damage through the body including neurological and cardiovascular complications. Syphilis also increases the risk of HIV infection and, for women, can cause problems during pregnancy and for the newborn.