Jefferson County syphilis cases on record pace >> www.beaumontenterprise.com - Local

"With 140 reported syphilis cases in the first five months of the year, Jefferson County could break last year's record number of cases.

The latest syphilis numbers were released Thursday at a news conference launching a campaign to combat the regional spike in the disease.

'Syphilis has been on the rise nationally and our community is no exception,' said Ingrid Holmes, Beaumont Health Department director. 'We want people to know what it is and what the signs and symptoms are.'"