CANYON COUNTY -- Health officials are urging people to get tested after a dramatic increase in syphilis cases was reported in Canyon County.
According to Southwest District Health, Canyon County has seen 21 cases of the sexually-transmitted disease since January, nearly quadruple the expected rates.
Epidemiologist for Southwest District Health Randi Pedersen said most of the cases have been young white men who are gay or bisexual, and report using alcohol and drugs. Some of the infected people said they contracted the disease from someone they met online.
“We are concerned because many cases report meeting sex partners online or through mobile applications," Pedersen said. "If you are worried about a sexual contact that you have had, we urge you to protect yourself and get tested.”
Syphilis can be spread through vaginal, oral or anal sex, and can infect an unborn baby if the fetus' mother contracts the disease. Syphilis symptoms can be difficult to detect, but the disease has serious consequences if left untreated.
Untreated syphilis can lead to difficulty in coordinating muscle movement, blindness, paralysis, organ damage, dementia and even death.
A spokesperson for the Central District Health Department, which includes Ada, Boise, Elmore and Valley counties, says officials there have also seen a rise in syphilis cases.
They tell us 60 syphilis cases have been reported to the Central District Health Department since early 2015. Officials say that's roughly two to three times what they consider a "normal" number of cases.
Cases in central Idaho have been reported in a mix of men and women.
The Canyon County Community Clinic and Terry Reilly Health Services in Caldwell are offering free walk-in testing. The health district is working with community partners and reaching out to school counselors, public officials, the LGBTQ community, law enforcement, jails, social workers and alcohol and drug testing facilities to get information out about the disease and push people to get tested.
“The key to stopping the spread of this disease is early diagnosis and treatment,” said Pedersen. “The testing is free and confidential, so it is critical for anyone who has risky sexual behavior to be tested.”
Below are some locations in Canyon County that provide free testing:
Southwest District Health
13307 Miami Lane, Caldwell
Free, confidential syphilis testing by appointment,
Monday through Friday, 7:30am-6pm
208-455-5345
Canyon County Community Clinic
524 Cleveland Suite 110, Caldwell – (Corner of 5th and Cleveland)
Free walk-in syphilis testing
Every Wednesday 5pm-7pm
208-455-1143
Terry Reilly Health Services Caldwell Arlington Clinic
2005 Arlington, Caldwell
Free walk-in syphilis testing
