Syphilis making a comeback, health officials warn. CDC map shows where risk is highest

(NEXSTAR) – Health officials around the country are sounding the alarm: Syphilis cases are spiking.

New York has seen the number of syphilis cases increase five-fold since 2013, Nexstar’s WIVT/WGBH reports, and the state isn’t alone. Compared to about a decade ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said congenital syphilis cases are 700% higher nationwide.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease; it’s considered congenital when its passed from mother to baby during pregnancy. It can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or death after birth. Babies may also be born with deformed bones or organs.

While progress has been made in fighting diseases like chlamydia and gonorrhea, congenital syphilis has increased for 12 straight years as of 2024 (the last year of available data from the CDC). Prevalence of the disease has reached its highest point since 1994.

The CDC has set a goal of cutting syphilis rates down in reproductive-aged women to 4.6 per 100,000 people by 2030. To meet the target, the agency is recommending health care providers screen everyone between the ages of 15 and 44 in........

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