HOUSTON – A social media publish had many questioning the well being of many Houstonians after somebody misused the Houston Well being Division knowledge system, insinuating over 42,000 folks examined constructive for an STD.The publish confirmed a screenshot of a knowledge sheet, stating “That is how many individuals have been recognized with an STD in Houston final week. Y’all watch out in these streets.”The information sheet confirmed a abstract of numbers related to Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, HIV and extra sexually transmitted illnesses and infections.This had many Houstonians on excessive alert — particularly after Houston Well being Division reported an outbreak of congenital syphilis in Houston and Harris County in the summertime of 2023. The HHD noticed a 128% enhance in instances amongst ladies.In keeping with stats final yr, the infections rose from 1,845 in 2019 to 2,905 in 2022, which was a 57% enhance. Instances amongst ladies totaled 674 instances in 2022, up from 295 instances in 2019. Congenital syphilis soared from 16 instances in 2016 to 151 instances in 2021.KPRC 2 reached out the Houston Well being Division concerning the latest stats proven within the publish. HHD responded stating that its knowledge system was misused, violating its coverage and procedures to guard the general public’s well being.Well being officers confirmed that the publish “grossly overstated numbers and incorrect data” and that these numbers represented laboratory exams reported for your complete state whether or not the take a look at is constructive or unfavorable.No personally identifiable data or protected well being data was launched. The HHD has launched an investigation into this incident and carried out further safety measures to forestall additional incidents to make sure the privateness and safety of its shoppers’ data.Learn the total assertion from HHD beneath:“The Houston Well being Division deeply regrets the misuse of a knowledge system that violated its insurance policies and procedures to guard the general public’s well being. Though the intent was to speak a public well being message, the violation resulted within the sharing of mixture STD and HIV knowledge on social media. No protected well being data or personally identifiable data was launched.“The publish contains grossly overstated numbers and incorrect data. The numbers signify laboratory exams reported for your complete state whether or not the take a look at is constructive or unfavorable. Statewide, about 1.2 million HIV exams and 1.6 million syphilis exams are reported yearly.“The division is conducting an intensive investigation and implementing further safety measures to forestall such future incidents. It want to use this as a chance to induce Houstonians to stay protected and proceed to make use of finest well being practices. The division sincerely regrets any misery this will have prompted and is dedicated to making sure the privateness and safety of its shoppers’ data.”Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.