Health groups warn of worst syphilis outbreak in Queensland

Queensland is facing the worst syphilis outbreak in the last 30 years, warns the Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Service.

According to the health group, young Indigenous Australians, gay and bisexual men in Queensland are at an increased risk of contracting syphylis. Therefore, the public health group has advised young people in north Queensland to get themselves checked for syphylis and avoid unsafe sex.

The syphylis infection rate has shown an increase in the northern Queensland. According to government statistics, more than 33 new cases of sexually transmitted syphilis infections have been reported so far till September. It also includes one case of congenital syphilis, in which infection is transferred from expecting mothers to the baby.

The Townsville Public Health Unit (TPHU) says that the number of cases of syphilis has grown from 25 to 33 in the past one year. The increase has called for health groups to issue a warning for the Queenslanders.

TPHU says that untreated cases could lead to greater risk of HIV infection, reports news.com.au. In addition, congenital syphilis could result in stillbirth, infant death or miscarriage.

Gay, bisexual, Torres Strait Islander people and young Aboriginals have been advised to use a condom while making sexual contact. In addition, sexually active young individuals have been asked to visit their local health services.

The SBS reports that people living in remote locations are 300 times more likely to contract syphilis. In addition, babies born to north Queensland’s Indigenous communities are at an increased risk of infection.

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