2. Syphilis
Outbreak
• Generally higher background STI & BBV rate in
Indigenous Australians, previous outbreaks
• Current Syphilis outbreak early 2011 (Nth Qld) now spread
to NT, WA and SA
• Predominantly young 15- 29 year olds (2/3)
• Initially remote predominance, some cities (Darwin)
• 12 cases of congenital syphilis – 5 deaths
• Also rising HIV, different demography (2x rate).
• Other STI/BBV higher, more stable
• Data issues – testing rate, identifiers
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4. Contributing Factors?
• Remote workforce – recruitment, retention, $
• Population mobility
• Loss of focus on regular testing
• ?Wasted energy - follow up & tracing – versus “test,
treat and go”
• Family dynamics– trauma - parenting, young
“consequences of actions”
• Education not targeting early sexual activity
• Outdated antenatal care guidelines
• Drug and alcohol
• Poor data and poor identification
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5. National Response
• Short & longer term (sustainable)
• Short term –screen & treat, POC, surge workforce –
mobile, local teams
• Pathology– investigating see & treat processes
• Consistent reporting
• Enhanced education (Young Deadly), younger
• Build on sporting clubs and carnivals
• Other incentives for testing
• Antenatal care – increased testing, guidelines
• Identification of other BBV/STI
• STI ? mandatory in health check, normalise
• Governance
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6. Other BBV/STI
5
Indigenous rate
/100,000 population
Non indigenous rate
/100,000 population
Gonorrhoea 626 62
Chlamydia 1325 391
Syphilis 61 10
HIV (new diagnosis) 6.8 3.1
Hepatitis C 167 36
Hepatitis B 66 22
