Title: Surge in Congenital Syphilis Cases Spurs Urgent Call for Public Health Emergency Declaration
Subtitle: Health advocates pressure President Biden to address escalating rates of congenital syphilis in babies
In a plea to President Joe Biden, health advocates are urging the declaration of a public health emergency to combat the surging cases of congenital syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection that affects newborns. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of cases has nearly tripled from 941 in 2017 to 2,855 in 2021.
The current rate of 77 cases per 100,000 live births is a cause for concern as congenital syphilis can lead to severe health complications in infants. Newborns afflicted by this infection may suffer from bone damage, anemia, jaundice, nerve damage, and even meningitis. Tragically, approximately 40 percent of babies born with congenital syphilis do not survive.
The situation is further exacerbated by the shortage of Bicillin L-A, the primary medication used to treat congenital syphilis. Experts predict that the nationwide shortage of this drug will persist until 2024. This scarcity hampers efforts to provide timely treatment and underscores the urgency of the situation.
States including Arizona, New Mexico, and Louisiana have reported the highest rates of congenital syphilis cases in 2021. Among demographic groups, the Black and African-American community has witnessed the most significant increase, with cases rising from 362 in 2017 to 885 in 2021.
By declaring a public health emergency, President Biden can leverage the Defense Production Act to ramp up the production of Bicillin L-A, addressing the limited availability of the essential medication. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Biden administration has already established a task force dedicated to tackling the surge in sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including congenital syphilis.
Several factors contribute to the rise in congenital syphilis cases. Riskier sexual behaviors, decreased condom use, and drug use during pregnancy all contribute to the spread of this infection. Societal disparities also play a role, with higher rates observed in regions where access to healthcare is limited, such as border states, the southwest, and deep south.
Insufficient funding and lack of education also fuel the upsurge in congenital syphilis cases. For instance, Mississippi has witnessed a staggering 1,000 percent increase in cases, soaring from 10 in 2016 to 110 in 2022. Inadequate pre-pregnancy screening in the state may be an underlying cause for this troubling trend.
While there are pockets of progress, such as states like Maine, New Hampshire, and Wyoming reporting zero cases of congenital syphilis, and Nebraska seeing only one case, it is evident that the United States is grappling with a larger issue. Overall, cases of syphilis have risen by 70 percent between 2017 and 2021, with a total of 2.5 million STDs reported in the US in 2021 alone—equating to a rate of 763 cases per 100,000 people.
As the nation faces a relentless increase in STDs, it is crucial for authorities to take swift and comprehensive action to protect vulnerable infants. The call for a public health emergency declaration aims to signal the gravity of the situation and mobilize resources towards combating congenital syphilis, safeguarding the health and well-being of future generations.
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