In the first six months of 2004, reported cases of primary and secondary syphilis in Chicago are down 24% compared to the first six months of 2003, according to data from the Chicago Department of Public Health and the Syphilis Elimination Task Force. This decline continues a promising trend in Chicago, as overall 2003 numbers for primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis, or symptomatic syphilis, were down almost 25% from 2002.
In contrast, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report rising numbers of syphilis cases throughout much of the rest of the country. New York City reports 256 cases from January through June '04, up from 230 in the first six months of '03.
This year in Chicago, 109 cases of P&S syphilis have been reported to CDPH from January through June. The same time period in 2003 had 143 cases. Men who have sex with men continue to be the most impacted population, comprising 58 cases.
See www.GetTestedChicago.com; or call 1-800-243-2437.