Health department warns syphilis and other STIs on the rise in Butler County

Miranda Hogg is the Disease and Intervention Specialist for the Butler county Health Department. She tracks reported cases of different diseases in 11 counties. She has seen something recently that has caused her serious worry.

According to information provided by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the state of Missouri has seen a substantial increase in syphilis cases. According to Hogg, that substantial increase extends to Butler County. Currently, the existing number of cases in Butler County stands at 91, which is a case rate of approximately 216 cases per-100,000 people.

“A lot of the blame gets focused on COVID, because that’s when the numbers really started to trend upwards,” Hogg noted. “But the simple fact is that Missouri has seen an increase in cases of more than 200%.”

Specifically, according to MDHSS, from 2015 with 769 cases to 2021 with 3,700 cases, there was an increase of 259% in syphilis cases; and the numbers have continued to rise with each year.

“The really scary thing is that it is possible to have syphilis without showing any symptoms for a while,” Hogg explained. “That is why testing is so important.”

Hogg went on to explain there are different forms of syphilis, such as: Ocular syphilis — which attacks a person’s vision and can cause blindness, and Neurosyphylis — which can attack the central nervous system and can occur at any time after infection.

“I’m also extremely concerned that there is an increase in congenital syphilis,” Hogg stated. “That is when a pregnant woman has the disease.”

Hogg explained cases of congenital syphilis can cause a woman to miscarry or can cause an infant to be born with blindness or neurological problems.

“The increase altogether may not seem like very much at first,” Hogg remarked. “For example: since January we have seen 10 more cases; but, once we track down the partners of those 10 cases, you can pretty much double the number to 20.”

Hogg also explained she is alarmed by the knowledge that an increase in syphilis cases usually indicates a future increase of other STIs.

“We are already seeing an increase in cases of gonorrhea and chlamydia,” Hogg noted. “And we will very likely see an increase in HIV cases soon.”

According to Hogg, there isn’t any one particular group that is more susceptible to getting the disease.

“(Syphilis) can spread like other STIs,” Hogg explained. “Exchanging fluids — including orally — can transmit the disease. I’m surprised at the number of people who don’t seem to know this.”

Hogg explained the Butler County Health Department offers free STI testing and treatment, in addition to providing contraceptives to help people practice safe sex.

“Basically, if you’re sexually active at all, you should come in and get tested. It just makes sense to be safe,” Hogg noted. “Unfortunately there seems to be somewhat of a stigma attached to getting tested and not enough people do it. I would really like to see that change.”

Hogg also explained it typically takes 90 days for symptoms to appear after the disease is transmitted.

“Then, when the sore surfaces, a person can transmit the disease over a six-week period,” Hogg explained. “So, if a person has multiple partners, then you can understand the concern with how it can spread so quickly.”

Hogg went on to explain the disease can also be transmitted through the use of unclean needles by people using intravenous drugs.

“This isn’t a problem that seems to be going away soon,” Hogg stated. “I would just encourage everyone to be safe and get tested. Getting tested is part of being safe.”