In recent years syphilis has become more and more of a problem in Georgia. As of today, Georgia is ranked the number three state with the most cases, down from last year, at number one.
Syphilis was at an all time low in 1998, but since then, the numbers continue to creep up.
Public Health officials in Northwest GA are taking action now, before it gets worse. Billboards can be seen on major highways saying “Syphilis is Back” coupled with free treatment and counseling at local health departments.
Debbie Abercrombie, an epidemiologist with North West GA Public Health said people were scared of HIV/AIDS in the nineties and used protection, but now, not so much.
“I think, over the years, people have gotten bolder and some of the good habits that they had as far as protecting them selves have fallen, I guess, by the wayside and people are engaging once again in behaviors that put them at risk,” said AbercrombieIn Georgia, most cases of syphilis originate in big cities. But Abercrombie says more and more cases are coming further north through people who spend time in both Metro Atlanta and North West Georgia.
