De Faakto Outbreak Intelligence
06 January 2019
Syphilis Outbreak Japan 50 Year High
Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases
- 6,096 cases had been reported as of November 19
- The first time the annual total had surpassed 6,000 since 1970
- 1,548 cases have been reported in Tokyo
- 1,043 in Osaka
- 399 in Aichi prefecture
What is syphilis?
- Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Syphilis can cause serious health sequelae if not adequately treated
Treatment
- Benzathine penicillin G & in some stages of the disease Acqueous crystalline penicillin G (CDC, 2019)
- Persons who receive syphilis treatment must abstain from sexual contact with new partners until the syphilis sores are completely healed. Persons with syphilis must notify their sex partners so that they also can be tested and receive treatment if necessary (CDC, 2019)
CDC Syphilis The Facts https://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/the-facts/syphilis_bro_508.pdf
CDC https://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/stdfact-syphilis-detailed.htm
