Experts discuss how to stop rise of syphilis in the valley
California has reached an all-time high in sexually transmitted diseases diagnosed this year and health experts said syphilis cases are increasing rapidly in the Coachella Valley.
“We recognize that there is a problem with syphilis in the Coachella Valley, so we want to work with the community to address this issue,” said Kim Saruwatari, director of public health for Riverside County.
The disease has been on the rise for at least three years in a row in the Coachella Valley. According to health officials, 32 out of 100,000 people are currently infected with syphilis.
“It is an old disease but it is a disease on the rise. So people who are having unprotected sex are at risk for getting infected,” Saruwatari said.
During a health conference in Palm Springs, county health professionals and locals talked about the dangers of the disease and range of people impacted.
“Syphilis can cause many different disease symptoms in people as well as congenital syphilis where it’s detrimental to babies. Either they’re born stillborn or they don’t last long after they are born and the ones that do will have deformities in their bones or their teeth and brain abnormalities,” said Lea Morgan, the brand chief of the HIV/AIDS program.
Medics are urging people to get checked if they’re unsure of their status.
“If people feel like they have symptoms, so a painless sore that will go away on its own. Weeks later to months later a rash will appear. If they have those symptoms go into your doctor. Syphilis is curable. but you have to be tested,” Morgan said.
Officials said the increase in cases could be due to a number of factors, including more people choosing to get tested.
For more information about the disease, click here. For a list of local agenicies, click here.
Download the KESQ & CBS Local 2 app on iTunes or Google Play for up-to-the-minute breaking news alerts & more
More: I-Team and Stands for You investigations
Find us on Facebook: KESQ News Channel 3 & CBS Local 2
Follow us on Twitter for breaking news updates: @KESQ & @Local2
We’re on Instagram! @KESQ_News_Channel_3 & @CBSLocal2
Noticias en español: Telemundo 15
