Students walking through Ohio State’s Recreation & Physical Activity Center (RPAC) in recent weeks might have noticed a sign outside of the Student Wellness Center that read: “ATTENTION COLUMBUS, SYPHILIS OUTBREAK, GET TESTED.”

Ohio State Student Life spokesman Dave Isaacs said the notice at the Student Wellness Center wasn’t a response to an increase in the number of cases on campus, but rather in the number of cases in the Greater Columbus area. 

And Columbus Public Health lists a Columbus syphilis outbreak on its website. 

Its most recent release about the outbreak was issued Nov. 4 and said data from the Ohio Department of Health showed a 34 percent increase in cases from January through August, compared to January through August 2013.

Columbus Public Health issued its initial advisory about the outbreak July 10.

Syphilis is a treatable sexually transmitted infection. The infection, which is diagnosed by a blood test, causes lesions, rash and swollen lymph glands. It can also lead to paralysis and blindness if it is not treated.

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