North Carolina man charged for not treating syphilis

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) – A 19-year-old man faces a criminal charge for refusing to get treatment for syphilis after health officials identified him as the “point of contact” for three cases of the disease in Cumberland County, North Carolina.

The Fayetteville Observer reported Thursday that Deyzaun Ford was charged June 28 with a misdemeanor public health violation for ignoring the Cumberland County Health Department’s order to manage and treat his syphilis within five days.

The department can criminally charge someone who refuses treatment or intentionally spreads communicable diseases. Court documents did not say whether Ford intentionally exposed others.

Police arrested Ford on June 19 in response to a suspicious vehicle report. He was separately charged with a misdemeanor for carrying concealed weapons without a license.

The Associated Press emailed his attorney for comment.

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Information from: The Fayetteville Observer, http://www.fayobserver.com

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