Outbreaks of Syphilis/Staph Infections/HIV Demand Stepped up Prevention and Outreach by Los Angeles County Public Health Officials

LOS ANGELES -- Outbreaks of a highly contagious Staph infection known as Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) in the L.A. County Jail system and among men who have sex with men (MSM), and an ongoing and escalating outbreak of syphilis, a highly transmissible yet readily curable sexually transmitted disease (also prevalent among men who have sex with men), continue to wreak havoc with Los Angeles County's public health system.

Many of these infections have been identified in individuals who also have HIV, and underscore a need for a stepped up, aggressive response from county public health officials and leaders.

Meeting today at the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors hearing to discuss the problem are Michael Weinstein, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) president; Dr. Paul DenOuden, AHF physician; Terri Ford, AHF director of advocacy; Karen Mall, AHF director of prevention and testing; and Cesar Portillo, AHF chief of public affairs.

Source: AIDS Healthcare Foundation