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News Articles: congenital syphilis

Melissa Wyaco supervises about two dozen public health nurses who search for patients across the Navajo Nation who have tested positive for or have been exposed to syphilis.

Native Americans are hardest hit by syphilis surge

Rates are so bad in Native American communities that public health experts have asked the federal government to declare an emergency. Inadequate prenatal care may be partly to blame.

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By:
  • Cecilia Nowell
This image provided by the CDC shows counties, shaded in teal, where federal officials suggest offering syphilis testing to all sexually active people between the ages of 15 and 44.

Syphilis cases rise to their highest levels since the 1950s, CDC says

Cases increased by nearly 80% to more than 207,000 between 2018 and 2022, according to the CDC. Rates increased among all age groups, including newborns, and in all regions of the country.

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By:
  • Diba Mohtasham
Disease intervention specialists, like Deneshun Graves with the Houston Health Department, work to reach pregnant women at high risk of syphilis to get them testing and treatment to protect their babies.

Syphilis among newborns continues to rise. Pregnant moms need treatment, CDC says

Unless mothers are treated during pregnancy, newborns can sicken, die or face lifelong disabilities. The CDC is urging public health providers to connect more people to testing and medication.

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By:
  • Will Stone
Syphilis cases in California have contributed to soaring national caseloads of sexually transmitted diseases. Experts point to the advent of dating apps, less condom use and an increase in meth.

Once On The Brink Of Eradication, Syphilis Is Raging Again

Syphilis cases in California have contributed to soaring national caseloads of sexually transmitted diseases. Experts point to the advent of dating apps, decreased condom use and an increase in meth.

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By:
  • April Dembosky