Rise in syphilis cases prompts criticism
31.01.05

The Government's safe sex campaign is falling on deaf ears as syphilis cases
increase, National Party Health spokeswoman Judith Collins says.

Auckland's sexual health clinic has seen cases increase dramatically in
recent years -- from fewer than five in 2001 to 20 last year. Nationally the
Health Ministry said there were 18 syphilis cases in 2001 compared with 50
cases for the first nine months of last year.

While reported numbers were small, sexual health physicians Nicky Perkins
and Sunita Azariah told the Sunday Star-Times it was a significant increase.

Mrs Collins said the safe-sex promotion campaign needed urgent
re-evaluation.

"It looks like the Government's safe-sex campaign is falling on deaf ears,
particularly where older aged groups are concerned, and this is a worry,''
she said.

"The increase in syphilis, it seems, is due to so-called 'safe-sex fatigue'
with more unsafe sex going on.''

Syphilis can be treated with penicillin. Untreated it can cause brain
damage, heart failure and ulcers. People with the disease have a weakened
immune system and were four times more likely to get HIV than those without
it.

Dr Perkins said pregnant women were at risk of losing their baby -- last
year a baby was stillborn because of the disease -- or passing the disease
on.

Most cases appeared to be contracted overseas but doctors were worried it
was being spread around the gay and bisexual community.

"That's particularly concerning. It means it's moved that extra step form
being imported into the country to gaining a foothold in the local
population,'' Dr Perkins said.

The doctors believed the increase in syphilis and other sexually transmitted
diseases was due to boredom with the safe-sex message and growing
complacency.

Dr Collins said the safe-sex campaign may need to shift its youth-focus to
take in older people because the increase in syphilis was among older
people.

- NZPA