The emerging outbreak of syphilis infections in Japan: A public health concern

Document Type : Letter to the Editor

Authors

1 Department of HIV and Infectious Diseases, Jhpiego, an affiliate of John Hopkins University, Abuja, Nigeria

2 Department of Public health, Daffodil International University, Dhaka 1216, Bangladesh

3 Department of Public Health, Daffodil International University, Dhaka 1216, Bangladesh

Abstract

We write to direct our concern towards the sudden outbreak of syphilis infections in Japan as reported by NHK web news on January 12, 2023. The preliminary statistics show that last year's syphilis infections reached a staggering number of 13,000, marking a 1.6-fold rise from the previous year and an all-time high since the current method of record-keeping was implemented. This dramatic increase in syphilis cases is a severe public health concern as syphilis is a bacterial infection primarily spread through sexual contact and if left untreated can result in severe symptoms. The alarming rise in syphilis cases, from a mere 875 in 2012 to a staggering 15 times that number in just a decade, calls for immediate action. Specialists suggest that while a portion of the infected individuals are sex workers and clients, it's plausible that the infection is spreading through sexual intercourse with unidentified people met through the internet. The statement clarifies that the incidence of syphilis is positively associated with dating app use in Japan.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Microbes and Infectious Diseases

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 01 June 2024

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