For Immediate Release:

May 18, 2000

LOS ANGELES -- Health officials at the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services launched a $450,000 advertising campaign today alerting residents to the recent syphilis outbreak and providing information on free testing and treatment. The syphilis outbreak was confirmed on March 22 when health officials reported 18 new syphilis cases among men who have sex with men. Since then, the number of cases linked to this outbreak has risen to 92.

Last month, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a one-time expenditure for advertising to augment the on-going outreach efforts in which the department has been engaged since March.

The campaign features English and Spanish radio, print and Internet advertising throughout the County. This campaign includes more than 180 outdoor billboards and posters, bus bench ads, restroom posters, Web site banners and newspaper ads. The highest concentration of outdoor media will be present in the outbreak areas of West Hollywood, Hollywood, Silver Lake and Long Beach.

"The campaign focuses on syphilis education, testing and treatment and is one of a variety of efforts we have underway to reduce STDs," said Jonathan E. Fielding, M.D., M.P.H., Director of Public Health and County Health Officer. "Syphilis is a treatable disease that has not been present in the gay community for several years. Consequently, we need to focus on its symptoms, which may not be familiar to many people."

Presenting a larger public health concern, more than one-half of the individuals testing positive for syphilis also were infected with HIV; syphilis facilitates the transmission of HIV.

"We believe this syphilis outbreak is symptomatic of a broader problem of adhering to safer sex practices," Dr. Fielding added. "The campaign targets communities where a large number of infections have occurred and neighborhoods such as Downtown Los Angeles, South Central, East Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley and the Crenshaw District, where we can reach a cross section of men and women who may be at high risk for syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases."

In mid-March, the County’s Sexually Transmitted Disease Program, Office of AIDS Programs and Policy and the City of Long Beach health department began an intensive surveillance, testing and treatment effort to stem the outbreak. County health staff have tested and treated more than 400 individuals through the County jail system. The County’s Mobile STD Clinic has been in the community every weekend testing and treating approximately 25-50 individuals each night. The health department is also providing continuing education to clinicians throughout the County on how to identify symptoms of syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases.

The County also is collaborating with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center to create and distribute thousands of educational posters in high-risk areas and venues. Additionally, state health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sent Epidemic Intelligence Service officers to study and assist in the surveillance of the outbreak.

"The campaign is one way we are emphasizing safer sex practices to the community," said Peter Kerndt, M.D., M.P.H., Acting Director of the County’s STD Program. "We need to reinvigorate important prevention messages like protecting yourself. Prevention of any STD will reduce your risk of HIV infection."

The Board of Supervisors also approved the health department’s purchase of 500,000 condoms that are being distributed to community-based organizations, health centers and venues where infections have occurred. County health officials are urging residents to use safe sex practices such as condom use and to limit their number of partners to avoid infection. Last year, the CDC targeted syphilis for elimination because it had reached its lowest levels in decades.

Syphilis is passed during vaginal, anal or oral sex. The disease starts with a single painless lesion (chancre) that develops within three or four weeks at the site of entry into the body. In some cases it occurs near the rectum and goes unnoticed. Even without treatment the lesion will heal; secondary syphilis is characterized by a body rash and, often, a fever and sore throat. Again, without treatment, the rash will clear within several weeks. However, the disease will remain latent for years and may cause serious damage to the heart, brain and other organs. These complications can lead to death. For pregnant women, syphilis can cause permanent harm or death to the fetus.

The public health department offers free testing and treatment for all sexually transmitted diseases through its health facilities and through mobile clinics. For information regarding testing locations contact the STD hotline at (800) 758-0880.

Public Health is committed to protecting and improving the health of the nearly 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control and community and family health and comprises more than 3,600 employees with an annual budget exceeding $430 million.

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