Health officials across the United States are raising concerns about a sharp increase in syphilis cases, including a surge in infections among newborns.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, congenital syphilis cases — when the infection is passed from mother to baby during pregnancy — have increased by 700% nationwide over the past decade. The agency said overall syphilis rates have reached their highest levels since 1994.
Some states are seeing dramatic increases. In New York, health officials report syphilis cases have risen fivefold since 2013.
Congenital syphilis can have severe consequences, including miscarriage, stillbirth or death shortly after birth. Infants born with the disease may also suffer from deformities affecting bones and organs.
Public health experts say the rise comes even as progress has been made in reducing other sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. The CDC reports congenital syphilis cases have increased for 12 consecutive years through 2024, the most recent year of available data.
To combat the trend, the CDC has set a goal of reducing syphilis rates among reproductive-aged women to 4.6 cases per 100,000 people by 2030. The agency is recommending routine screening for sexually active individuals between the ages of 15 and 44 in areas with high infection rates, as well as repeated testing during pregnancy in those regions.
Health experts say the disease can be difficult to detect. Early symptoms often appear two to six weeks after infection and may include painless sores that can go unnoticed. Without treatment, the infection can progress through multiple stages, potentially leading to serious complications affecting the brain, heart and other organs.
Doctors emphasize that early diagnosis and treatment are critical. Syphilis can be cured with antibiotics, including penicillin, if caught in time.
Health officials say increased awareness, testing and early intervention will be key to slowing the spread of the disease and preventing long-term health impacts.
