Region battles syphilis outbreak

TOWNSVILLE is battling a “serious outbreak” of syphilis which has killed two infants.

In the past five years there have been 424 cases of the sexually transmitted infection reported in the Townsville Hospital and Health Service region. Last year, it was reported two babies died of congenital syphilis present from birth.

Townsville Public Health Unit director Dr Steven Donohue said the outbreaks in North Queensland mainly affect young indigenous people.

He said syphilis could affect both men and women and was mostly transmitted through unsafe sexual encounters.

“The community can take simple steps to avoid syphilis, such as having safe sex with a condom,” Dr Donohue said.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service board chair Tony Mooney said North Queensland health services had combined to tack the syphilis outbreak.

He said the State Government in 2015 announced a $ 15.7 million response to the outbreaks – the North Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sexually Transmissible Infections Action Plan which runs to 2020.

“In the past 18 months there has been significant progress in responding to the outbreak,” Mr Mooney said. “This has included additional testing and screening, a targeted sexuality and relationships education program, and working with primary health providers.”

Mr Mooney said the THSS had recruited a full- time registered nurse at the Joyce Palmer Health Service on Palm Island to support more sexual health screenings.

He said another two sexual health and public health nurses were working with GPs in Townsville, Palm Island and the Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Service.