Syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease, has shown an alarming resurgence in recent years not only in Japan, the United States, and other countries but also in South Korea. (Image courtesy of Getty Images)
SEOUL, Nov. 29 (Korea Bizwire) – Syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease, has shown an alarming resurgence in recent years not only in Japan, the United States, and other countries but also in South Korea. Between February and July of this year, South Korea witnessed a concerning 10 percent year-on-year rise in syphilis cases.
Choi Jun-yong, an infectious diseases expert at Severance Hospital, noted that sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis and HIV often experience outbreaks across neighboring countries.
This is attributed to high-risk groups, including those with multiple sexual partners or inconsistent condom use, maintaining sexual networks not limited to their own country.
Japan has been grappling with an increase in syphilis cases for three consecutive years since 2021, reaching a record-breaking count this year. According to a report by local broadcaster NHK on November 28, the nationwide tally reached 13,251 cases as of November 19, surpassing last year’s figure of 13,228.
The Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo, Japan (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
In Japan, the surge in syphilis cases among young people is linked to increased sexual encounters through dating apps. Meanwhile, the cause of the rise in Korea remains unspecified.
In a noteworthy development, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) elevated syphilis from a Class 4 to a Class 3 infectious disease, initiating full monitoring from January of next year.
Under this comprehensive monitoring program, all medical institutions are mandated to promptly report outbreaks to government health centers within 24 hours, facilitating epidemiological investigations and pinpointing outbreaks.
The decision to enhance monitoring is partly preemptive, given the escalating outbreaks in neighboring countries like Japan, Taiwan, and China. The United States is grappling with congenital syphilis as a social problem, with over 3,700 cases of newborns reported with the disease last year.
KDCA officials underscore the importance of preparing for potential disease entry into the country amid increased human and material exchanges post-COVID-19.
Combatting congenital syphilis is a key motivation for the shift to universal monitoring in Korea. Although congenital syphilis is generally detected early through prenatal testing, occurrences still persist.
Syphilis, infecting over 6 million people worldwide annually, manifests primarily as skin ulcers, often in the genital area, vagina, anus, rectum, lips, or mouth. Direct contact with these sores transmits the disease, not only through sexual contact but also via kissing. Notably, syphilis is not spread through casual contact, sharing personal items, or environmental surfaces.
The disease can be transmitted from mother to fetus and, in rare cases, through blood transfusions. Progressing through three stages, with stage 3 posing increased risks, early treatment is crucial. Lack of public awareness about sexually transmitted diseases contributes to their spread, emphasizing the urgent need for prevention education.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
