Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #105651

Wendy N. Betancourt, MPH¹, Faith Davis-Bolton, CHES², Barbara Cole, RN, PHN, MSN², and Sarah Mack, MPH¹. (1) Epidemiology and Program Evaluation Branch, Riverside County Department of Public Health, 4065 County Circle Drive, Riverside, CA 92503, 951-358-5557, wbetanco@co.riverside.ca.us, (2) Disease Control Branch, Riverside County Department of Public Health, 4065 County Circle Drive, Riverside, CA 92503

Recent outbreaks of primary and secondary syphilis have occurred in major cities, such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York City. Syphilis rates in Palm Springs, CA rapidly increased from 0.0 cases per 100,000 in 1999, to 90.2 per 100,000 in 2003. Palm Springs, a gay-friendly resort community and a stop on the gay party circuit, has one of the highest rates of syphilis in the United States. This presentation will describe the epidemiology of, and local response to, a syphilis outbreak (2000-2004) in Palm Springs using local surveillance data.

Between 2000 and 2004, 119 primary and secondary syphilis cases from Palm Springs were reported to the local health department. 100% of the cases occurred in men. 84% were in men aged 35 years or older (median = 41 years, range: 20-74) and were slightly older compared to California (median age = 37 years) and the United States (median age = 35 years). 84% of the cases have identified themselves as men who have sex with men. 70% are HIV co-infected, of which 58% have known their HIV status for five or more years. In the Palm Springs area, resorts are commonly reported as a location for meeting sex partners.

To address issues surrounding the outbreak, a Syphilis Elimination Task Force has been formed with membership from local and state health departments, Palm Springs HIV/AIDS private providers, community activists, and bar/resort owners. Results from analysis of surveillance data was used to guide activities of the task force.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

• Describe the epidemiology of a syphilis outbreak in Palm Springs, CA.
• Discuss the epidemiological differences between Palm Springs, CA, and US syphilis cases.
• Describe the response methods and activities for a syphilis outbreak in Palm Springs, CA.

Keywords: STD, Disease Data

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation