COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch-Hillsdale-St.Joseph Community Health Agency Director of Personal Health and Disease Prevention Yvonne Atwood reported to the agency’s Board of Health Thursday that sexually transmitted diseases were “out of control” all over Michigan.
She said there was a very high rate of clients in their clinics and that gonorrhea has practically doubled in all of the counties. Atwood added that Syphilis is making a comeback as well, particularly among 14 to 17 year olds.
Chlamydia is consistently high as well with nearly 51,000 cases reported in 2017 compared to over 47,000 cases in 2016 and 2015.
On another matter, Atwood reported another round of Hepatitis A hit close to home when a confirmed case was reported at the Renaissance Festival in Holly. She said between Branch and Hillsdale Counties, they vaccinated 10 people that attended the festival and they still have ongoing clinics.
In addition, even though we have not hit October yet, flu season is here.
There have been 10 confirmed cases in Hillsdale County. None have been reported yet in Branch and St. Joseph Counties. Health officials fear the flu season will be bad this year so early vaccinations are being recommended.
