Early syphilis in New York City: 1985-1990

The resurgence of syphilis since 1986 and 1987 in NYC has been mirrored in other major urban centers nationwide. Since 1988, P&S syphilis have declined, but early latent and congenital syphilis have continued to increase. A number of features characterize this most recent epidemic: Starting in 1987, Brooklyn replaced Manhattan as the borough with the most number of cases of early syphilis. The age distribution of reported cases has remained constant. Women constitute a growing proportion of early syphilis, and in fact, are the majority of cases of EL syphilis. As in other parts of the nation, this may be due to diminishing risk behavior among male homosexuals and the continuing effect of the cocaine epidemic and "drugs for sex," prostitution. The black and Hispanic communities continue to be disproportionately infected. Public Health education and control efforts should continue to be focused on the communities most affected.