Oklahoma State Department of Health officials say there has been a syphilis outbreak in Lawton and the surrounding areas.Syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease, is a curable bacterial infection. Officials did express concern, however, that the disease could spread to counties beyond the initial area.“The good news is syphilis can be identified by examination and testing, cured with antibiotics, and through disease investigation, the spread of syphilis can be stopped,” said Comanche County Health Department regional director Brandie O’Connor. “We want to encourage people to seek testing and treatment if they have been having unprotected sex. Free, confidential testing and treatment are available at local county health departments.”“The people at high risk for syphilis due to this specific outbreak include men who have sex with men, people who have multiple sex partners, IV drug users and people who have sex with anonymous partners, including those met online,” O'Connor said.The disease can be spread through sex -- or kissing, if the infected person has a sore on the mouth.Untreated syphilis can cause damage to major organs and cause birth defects or infant death. Symptoms include a painless lesion on sexual organs, red or brown rashes on the hands and feet, swollen lymph glands, sore throat and fatigue.Comanche County officials say there has been a 300 percent rise in cases of syphilis over the past year.For more information, call the Comanche County Health Department at 580-248-5890.

Oklahoma State Department of Health officials say there has been a syphilis outbreak in Lawton and the surrounding areas.

Syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease, is a curable bacterial infection. Officials did express concern, however, that the disease could spread to counties beyond the initial area.


“The good news is syphilis can be identified by examination and testing, cured with antibiotics, and through disease investigation, the spread of syphilis can be stopped,” said Comanche County Health Department regional director Brandie O’Connor. “We want to encourage people to seek testing and treatment if they have been having unprotected sex. Free, confidential testing and treatment are available at local county health departments.”

“The people at high risk for syphilis due to this specific outbreak include men who have sex with men, people who have multiple sex partners, IV drug users and people who have sex with anonymous partners, including those met online,” O'Connor said.

The disease can be spread through sex -- or kissing, if the infected person has a sore on the mouth.

Untreated syphilis can cause damage to major organs and cause birth defects or infant death. Symptoms include a painless lesion on sexual organs, red or brown rashes on the hands and feet, swollen lymph glands, sore throat and fatigue.

Comanche County officials say there has been a 300 percent rise in cases of syphilis over the past year.

For more information, call the Comanche County Health Department at 580-248-5890.