Syphilis Cases Surge in New Jersey, Reaching 1950s Levels, CDC Reports
In a concerning development, the number of syphilis cases in New Jersey has more than doubled in just five years, reaching levels not seen since the 1950s, according to a health alert issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The national number of cases has also hit highs reminiscent of the 1950s. The CDC’s annual Sexually Transmitted Infections Surveillance report reveals that more than 1,700 cases of syphilis were diagnosed in New Jersey in 2018. Shockingly, this number surged to over 3,600 in 2022, outpacing the national trend of an 80% increase in syphilis cases.
The surge in cases is not limited to sexually transmitted infections but also includes congenital cases. Congenital syphilis occurs when an infected mother passes the infection to her baby during pregnancy. Alarmingly, the report indicates that congenital syphilis cases jumped by 31% nationally in just one year, resulting in over 280 stillborn or deceased children.
Rachel L. Levine, the chair of the National Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis Syndemic Federal Task Force, emphasizes the need for a collective effort to address this resurgence. “We can collectively work towards reducing the incidence of syphilis and its devastating consequences, and we will turn the tide on the syphilis epidemic,” she states.
Preventing the risk of syphilis involves correctly wearing condoms during intercourse and avoiding sexual contact with an infected partner or while infected. Early detection and treatment are crucial in reducing the spread of the infection.
Jonathan Mermin, the director of CDC’s National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, expresses hope for innovative prevention tools and better tests for syphilis. However, he emphasizes that their success relies on reaching the people who will benefit, which requires coordinated efforts at the federal, state, and local levels.
The CDC highlights that sexually transmitted infection rates are higher among certain racial or ethnic groups, which often face health disparities due to longstanding social inequities. The report reveals a disproportionate number of Black children born with congenital syphilis. Despite accounting for only 14% of live births, 30% of all cases were diagnosed in Black babies.
Laura Bachmann, the acting director of the CDC’s Division of STD Prevention, emphasizes the importance of meeting people where they are and addressing barriers to STI prevention and health services. She states that the most critical work often occurs outside the clinic, such as reaching out to communities for testing, offering services to patients’ partners, or delivering treatment directly to individuals.
While syphilis cases continue to rise, there is a glimmer of hope as gonorrhea cases have seen their first decline in a decade, down nearly 9% compared to the previous year.
As the number of syphilis cases reaches alarming levels in New Jersey and across the country, it is crucial for individuals, healthcare providers, and policymakers to prioritize prevention, early detection, and treatment. By addressing social inequities and implementing coordinated efforts at all levels, we can hope to combat this resurgent epidemic and protect the health and well-being of our communities.
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Katie Kausch may be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @KatieKausch.
