North Carolina has one of the highest rates in the nation of reported infectious syphilis cases. Mecklenburg, Wake, Guilford, Robeson and Forsyth counties have been targeted for participation in the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) "National Plan to Eliminate Syphilis from the United States".   Inaugurated in 1999 and revised in 2006, this plan seeks to intervene in the trends in syphilis morbidity through education, outreach, rapid response to infection trends, community screenings and ongoing evaluation.

After several years of declining syphilis rates following the 1999 inauguration of the Syphilis Elimination Program in Mecklenburg County, syphilis rates have once again begun to rise.  2005 saw a 74% increase in the incidence of syphilis in the county over 2004 rates.  Mecklenburg County Health Department's Syphilis Ellimation Program has launched "Project M.U.S.E."  (Mecklenburg Unites  ~  Syphilis Ends) as a response.  Project M.U.S.E. utilizes both traditional public health initiatives as well as innovative strategies to reduce the incidence of syphilis in our region.

For more information, contact Jeffery Williams-Knight at 704.432.1506.

--What is Syphilis?
--Frequently Asked Questions
--Hotline Information
--Free and Confidential Testing Information
--Statistical Information