SAN ANTONIO – An epidemic of congenital syphilis two years ago appears to be subsiding significantly in Bexar County and health experts believe it's a case of intervention to combat the disease.
Two years ago, Bexar County had some of the highest numbers of cases in sexually transmitted diseases, particularly with the congenital form of syphilis which can attack a fetus.
Metro Health said it is due to a lack of screening and treatment, fueled by the Eagle Ford Shale boom and prostitution.
The numbers released today in the annual STD report shows that trend has turned significantly in the other direction. Dr. Anil Mangla showed slide after slide of graphic showing decreases across the board in all STDs, including chlamydia and gonorrhea.
From 2013-2014, there was a 70 percent decrease in the number of congenital syphilis cases, and a 24 percent drop in the number of primary and secondary syphilis cases. Chlamydia dropped 10 percent and gonorrhea dropped 2 percent.
It's a success story according to Mangla. "If you look at the data, we have had made an impact on all STDs. That is a very clear indication that the interventions we have are working, " he said. Those interventions include a new STD clinic offering longer hours, as well as hospital testing of pregnant women in their third trimester. The latter was a voluntary effort launched because rates were increase so quickly putting Bexar County much higher than national average. Congenital syphilis causes high risk pregnancy and babies born with it can suffer their entire lives with birth defects and illness.
"We actually started this a year ago and we worked with the hospital systems and asked them if they could start this, so it is an effort but made easier because this is now law, said Mangla, who was part of the group championing a new state law into existence making the practice of congenital syphilis testing mandatory across the state beginning September first.
Just two weeks ago, the county purchased a new mobile unit that will bring testing to neighborhoods and clients that don't have transportation to Bexar Met's clinics. It goes online in one month.