The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals a sharp 19.5% rise in syphilis cases among women, constituting 25% of the 59,016 nationwide cases in 2022.
The total cases of primary and secondary syphilis in women reached 14,652, constituting a quarter of the 59,016 cases nationwide, a significant jump from 2018’s 14%. Men who have sex with men still contribute disproportionately to cases.
Health officials issue grave warnings as the nation grapples with an escalating syphilis epidemic, reaching the highest levels recorded since the 1950s, according to the CDC’s final figures for 2022.
The historical context reveals that while the 1940s witnessed tens of thousands of reported syphilis cases and deaths annually, the advent of penicillin led to a drastic decline over the last century. Notably, nationwide cases peaked in the 1990s, followed by a prolonged decline attributed to shifts in sexual behavior during the HIV epidemic.
Dr. Jonathan Mermin, Director of the CDC’s National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, emphasizes the need for robust public health systems to control the worsening syphilis epidemic.
Rates have surged annually since 2011, disproportionately affecting Black and American Indian populations. Mermin advocates for enhanced diagnosis, treatment efforts, and intensified measures to address contributing factors like substance abuse. The CDC’s data for 2022 reveals alarming spikes in congenital syphilis cases, posing a serious threat to infants.
Symptoms of syphilis, caused by the bacteria T. pallidum, include painless ulcers, with untreated cases leading to severe complications like neurosyphilis. The escalating rates highlight a public health crisis, with congenital syphilis cases reaching a distressing rate of over 102 cases per 100,000 births in 2022, far surpassing peer countries.
While some sexually transmitted infections show varied trends, syphilis diverges with a significant increase in 2022. Chlamydia cases remain flat, and gonorrhea rates drop by 8.7% from 2021, prompting cautious optimism from the CDC. However, concerns arise for 2023 due to funding cuts and shortages, as health officials warn of a deteriorating crisis. The National Coalition of STD Directors emphasizes the urgent need for funding to prevent the spiraling out-of-control situation.
In response to the alarming syphilis resurgence, the Department of Health and Human Services announces the formation of a dedicated task force. A spokesperson, initially unresponsive to comment requests, later confirmed the department’s commitment to addressing the crisis. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra declares the situation “unacceptable” and asserts the Biden-Harris Administration’s dedication to using all available means to combat the urgent issue, with a focus on eliminating disparities in the healthcare system.
Credit: CBS News
