Rise in syphilis cases prompts criticism

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