CDC Data Raises Concerns About Rising Syphilis Cases

CDC data published on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, prompted discussions around the alarmingly high and continually rising rates of syphilis across the United States. The CDC gathered data on over 2.5 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in 2022 through the Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Surveillance, revealing that syphilis cases increased by 17.0% over the last year and 78.9% in the past 5 years.

The rate of these STIs is generally stable or declining, with a 1.9% increase in overall reported STI rates over the past 5 years and a 1.0% decline in the past year.

A closer look at each studied disease revealed that, in the past year, reported chlamydia cases increased by 0.3%, suggesting a generally stable change rate. However, zooming out and looking at the changes over the past 5 years paints a more appealing picture, as the rates of chlamydia have declined 6.2% in that time.

Beyond chlamydia rates, the change in gonorrhea rates was contradictory. Over the more extended period, gonorrhea rates increased by 11.1%; however, the rate over the past year has declined by 8.7%.

Finally, focusing on syphilis, the outlook is bleaker. For instance, looking at all stages of syphilis, the rates have risen by 17.0% in the past year, contributing to the 78.9% increase over the past 5 years.

A closer look at congenital syphilis cases revealed an even more alarming trend. According to the data, the rates of congenital syphilis have increased by 30.6% in the past years. A broader analysis of the past 5 years showed that the rates have nearly tripled, rising by 183.4%.

“The most alarming concerns center around the syphilis and congenital syphilis epidemics, signaling an urgent need for swift innovation and collaboration from all STI prevention partners,” noted the CDC in the report.

In addition to these rising rates, the report revealed that marginalized communities, including minorities, are more disproportionately impacted by these rising rates.

Despite the alarming conclusions based on the data, the CDC notes that many cases of congenital syphilis, 88%, can be prevented with appropriate testing and treatment during pregnancy.

Beyond those strategies, Laura Bachmann, MD, MPH, FIDSA, FACP, Acting Director, Division of STD Prevention, noted that a multi-organizational task force can help minimize the rates of syphilis and congenital syphilis nationally.