Syphilis in North Dakota
In 2022, the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) is reporting an increase in the number of syphilis cases throughout the state. Syphilis has been increasing nationally with large outbreaks reported across the country, including in nearby states. With this rise in syphilis, the NDDoH recommends health care providers to:
- Obtain a complete sexual risk history of all patients.
- Test for syphilis and other STIs, including HIV, for all persons with high-risk sexual behaviors.
- Test and treat patients presumptively with symptoms suggestive of primary or secondary syphilis.
- Test and treat patients presumptively when exposed to syphilis.
- Test all pregnant persons at the first prenatal visit, at 28 weeks and then at delivery, regardless of risk.
Syphilis Provider Resources
There are many resources available for health care professionals about syphilis. Here are health alerts issued by the NDDoH on syphilis as well as training opportunities:
- Syphilis on the Rise Health Alert, June 2022
- Congenital Syphilis and Screening in Pregnancy Information Sheet
- Syphilis Lunch and Learn Webinar - May 2022
- Syphilis Intensive with the STD Prevention Training Center, March/April 2022
- Syphilis Screening in Pregnancy Health Alert, July 2020
- Syphilis Screening in Pregnancy Health Alert, July 2018
Contact the HIV.STI.Hepatitis Prevention Coordinator, Sarah Weninger at sweninger@nd.gov, for additional syphilis training opportunities including syphilis in-person educational presentations.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR PROVIDERS
RESOURCES FOR YOUR PATIENTS