North Carolina Syphilis Elimination Project

The North Carolina Syphilis Elimination Project (NCSEP) began in 1998 when 28 counties were identified as reporting more than 50% of the nation’s morbidity for infectious syphilis. North Carolina was the only state with five counties – Forsyth, Guilford, Mecklenburg, Robeson, and Wake – on that list. NCSEP strives to reduce primary and secondary syphilis through community involvement, surveillance, rapid outbreak response, and health promotion. Because community involvement is crucial to the success of the project, 15% of the grant award is designated for use in community-based organizations. Since 1998 the number of infectious syphilis cases has declined by 55%.

Why is Syphilis Elimination in the U.S. within our reach now?

• Syphilis is a preventable and curable sexually transmitted disease (STD).
• Infectious syphilis is at a very low rate: 3.8 cases/100,000 population (11,301 total cases).
• Syphilis is now very concentrated; half of all new cases in 2007 were reported from 25 counties in the U.S.
• Other industrialized countries have already eliminated syphilis.

Why is it Important to Eliminate Syphilis in North Carolina?

• In 2007 North Carolina ranked 15th in the nation, reporting 305 cases of infectious syphilis with a rate of 3.4 cases/100,000 population.
• To reduce racial disparities in health
• The gap is narrowing on racial disparities for African Americans, yet they continue to be disproportionately affected by syphilis; 71% of all cases were in the African American community in 2007.
• To decrease spread of HIV infection
  • Syphilis increases HIV transmission at least 2-to-5 fold.
  • 74% of all infectious syphilis cases were reported among men in 2007.
• To improve infant health
• Syphilis can be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy causing stillbirths or congenital infection, some of which may result in persistent health problems. North Carolina reported 7 cases of congenital syphilis in 2007.

North Carolina Responds

• Each affected county mobilized a community task force to increase awareness about syphilis.
• Pocket Guide to the Transmission, Signs, Symptoms and Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases created by Wake County, is a nationally recognized outreach guide.
• VOICES II: Views Offered in Communities Eliminating Syphilis II is the second summary assessment of the perceptions of nearly 300 community members and providers for use by constituents and policy makers.
• Jail Screening has increased from one to six county jails; over 6,390 inmates were tested in 2007.
• Prevention efforts save health care dollars. Due to the prevention of congenital and adult syphilis and syphilis-attributable HIV cases, North Carolina has saved millions of dollars. The prevention of 1 syphilis-attributable HIV case alone provides cost-savings of $360,865 dollars.

For more information contact:

Jan Scott
Communicable Disease Branch
(919) 733-2030 x47
(919) 733-2054 (fax)

For media inquiries contact:

National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Office of Communications
(404) 639-8895