Expert alarmed by insidious spread of syphilis

An infection that was once almost eradicated is now at outbreak levels across the country.

Syphilis cases have doubled in the past two years, with 470 cases reported in 2017 alone.

One Hamilton doctor is fielding calls from GPs – some who have never dealt with syphilis before.

Dr Jane Morgan, clinical director of the Hamilton Sexual Health Clinic, said the rates were alarming. ‘‘When I first started working, we would go three or four years without seeing a case.

‘‘It had just about disappeared, and that’s the same for most developed countries.

‘‘Then, about five or six years ago, other countries were starting to report cases.’’ On a recent week day, Morgan who has been practising in New Zealand for 22 years, fielded calls from three Hamilton GPs.

And although prevention is best, it’s not as simple as using a condom. Unlike chlamydia and gonorrhoea – which are spread through bodily fluids – syphilis is spread through syphilitic sores known as chancres.

The Auckland and Wellington regions had the most cases of syphilis, which predominantly affected males aged 20-39. And gay or bisexual men made up 70 per cent of cases, in which 21 per cent were also HIV positive.

Morgan said the increase had been apparent in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington for a few years but in the past 18 months, it had become an issue for Waikato.

‘‘It’s an infection that’s easily treated with antibiotics but because the infection has been rare, people aren’t aware of it.’’

But the group she’s most concerned with is pregnant women.

‘‘If a woman has syphilis and gets pregnant, if she transmits that to her baby, there’s a 50/50 chance that baby will die.

‘‘There have been some deaths already – last year and this year.’’

In its later stages, months or even years after first contracting the infection, syphilis can damage the heart, brain and spinal cord. The worst outcomes include paralysis, blindness, dementia, arthritis, deafness, impotence, and even death if untreated.