By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

Japan’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Tokyo has reported 4,168 syphilis cases through September 30. This is the fifth straight year the country has exceeded 4,000 cases of the sexually transmitted infection.

syphilis
Image/CDC

This includes more than 1,100 cases in Tokyo, 661 in Osaka and 229 each in Aichi and Fukuoka prefectures.

Syphilis was a major issue in Japan until shortly after the end of World War II, but the total reported cases declined to several hundred annually until 2011, when a rebound began.

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.