Imported toxigenic cutaneous diphtheria in a young male returning from Mozambique to Norway, March 2014

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Investigated six infectious syphilis outbreaks in the UK since 2012.
• Focused on men who have sex with men (MSM) and heterosexual individuals under 25.
• Assessed interventions including case finding and awareness campaigns.

Observation:

• Outbreaks occurred among both MSM and heterosexual populations.
• Challenges in targeting at-risk groups due to anonymous sexual encounters.
• Geospatial networking applications influenced outbreaks among MSM.

Findings:

• Syphilis transmission persists in the UK, affecting key demographics.
• Public health interventions faced difficulties in reaching anonymous partners.
• Technology, specifically location-based apps, played a role in MSM syphilis transmission.

Implications:

• Need for adaptive public health strategies to combat syphilis in the digital age.
• Enhanced surveillance and targeted interventions are crucial for at-risk populations.
• Understanding the role of technology in disease transmission is vital for future control efforts.