Japan, Unusual Surge in Syphilis Infections... Concerns Raised Over 'Sexually Transmitted Disease Medical Collapse'

"Possibility of Increase in Congenital Syphilis"... Shortage of Specialist Medical Staff

The spread of syphilis infections in Japan is becoming serious. There is also an analysis that there is a shortage of specialized medical personnel for sexually transmitted diseases.

According to a report by Nikkan Gendai on the 10th, the number of syphilis infections in Japan in 2023 was counted at 8,349. This is a 30% increase compared to the same period last year, which recorded the highest number of infections so far.

The city with the highest number of infections is the capital, Tokyo, with 2,052 cases. Among Japan's 47 prefectures, there is not a single region where no new syphilis patients have occurred this year.

Kabukicho (歌舞伎町), a representative entertainment district of Tokyo Metropolis (東京都)
Photo by Yonhap News

Locally, it is analyzed that about 17,000 people will be infected by the end of the year. This is about 4,000 more than the confirmed cases last year. Ten years ago, in 2013, the annual number of patients was only 1,220. It has increased more than 13 times in ten years.

Nikkan Gendai stated, "There are only 479 specialists in sexually transmitted diseases nationwide who can respond to this," raising the possibility of a collapse in the medical system related to syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases.

A medical staff member at a specialized sexually transmitted disease medical institution said, "The rapid increase in new syphilis infections is uncontrollable," adding, "Syphilis is no longer a rare disease not only in major city entertainment districts and surrounding areas but also in rural areas."

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, which belongs to the spirochete family. The syphilis bacterium is mainly transmitted through sexual contact, and because the initial symptoms appear mildly, if the infection is left untreated without knowing, it can be transmitted to others, making it dangerous.

Satoshi Takahashi, chairman of the Japanese Society for Sexually Transmitted Infections and a professor at Sapporo Medical University, said, "With the increase in infected people, there is a possibility that congenital syphilis will also increase," and added, "Since syphilis is a treatable disease, if you have concerning symptoms or anxiety, it is best to get tested without hesitation."

The "congenital syphilis" mentioned by experts begins with the infection of a pregnant woman. If a pregnant woman is infected with syphilis, congenital syphilis can occur as the fetus is infected through the placenta. In this case, the risk of stillbirth or giving birth to a child with disabilities increases, and it can also lead to miscarriage or premature birth.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.