HOUSTON – A social media post had many questioning the health of many Houstonians after someone misused the Houston Health Department data system, insinuating over 42,000 people tested positive for an STD.
The post showed a screenshot of a data sheet, stating “This is how many people were diagnosed with an STD in Houston last week. Y’all be careful in these streets.”
The data sheet showed a summary of numbers associated with Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, HIV and more sexually transmitted diseases and infections.
This had many Houstonians on high alert — especially after Houston Health Department reported an outbreak of congenital syphilis in Houston and Harris County in the summer of 2023. The HHD saw a 128% increase in cases among women.
According to stats last year, the infections rose from 1,845 in 2019 to 2,905 in 2022, which was a 57% increase. Cases among women totaled 674 cases in 2022, up from 295 cases in 2019. Congenital syphilis soared from 16 cases in 2016 to 151 cases in 2021.
KPRC 2 reached out the Houston Health Department about the recent stats shown in the post. HHD responded stating that its data system was misused, violating its policy and procedures to protect the public’s health.
Health officials confirmed that the post “grossly overstated numbers and incorrect information” and that those numbers represented laboratory tests reported for the entire state whether the test is positive or negative.
No personally identifiable information or protected health information was released. The HHD has launched an investigation into this incident and implemented additional security measures to prevent further incidents to ensure the privacy and security of its clients’ information.
Read the full statement from HHD below:
“The Houston Health Department deeply regrets the misuse of a data system that violated its policies and procedures to protect the public’s health. Although the intent was to communicate a public health message, the violation resulted in the sharing of aggregate STD and HIV data on social media. No protected health information or personally identifiable information was released.
“The post includes grossly overstated numbers and incorrect information. The numbers represent laboratory tests reported for the entire state whether the test is positive or negative. Statewide, about 1.2 million HIV tests and 1.6 million syphilis tests are reported every year.
“The department is conducting a thorough investigation and implementing additional security measures to prevent such future incidents. It would like to use this as an opportunity to urge Houstonians to remain safe and continue to use best health practices. The department sincerely regrets any distress this may have caused and is committed to ensuring the privacy and security of its clients’ information.”
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