Health advocates are calling on President Joe Biden to declare a public health emergency over the surge in congenital syphilis cases, a type of STI that occurs in babies. 

Between 2017 and 2021, the most recent year data is available, cases of congenital syphilis (CS) nearly tripled from 941 to 2,855, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

And the rate stands at 77 cases per 100,000 live births.  

Congenital syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that occurs when an infected mother passes the STI to her baby during pregnancy.

The condition raises an infant’s risk of bone damage, anemia, jaundice, nerve damage and meningitis. 

The disease kills about 40 percent of babies born with it, but treatment is possible with the medication Bicillin L-A. 

However, there has been a nationwide shortage of the drug and its manufacturer, Pfizer, does not anticipate the shortage to be resolved until 2024 – partly blaming the boom in cases, which has drastically increased demand.

In 2021, rates of CS were highest in Arizona, with a rate of 232.3 cases per 100,000 live births. The state was followed by New Mexico with 205.7 cases per 100,000 births and Louisiana came in third with 191.5 cases per 100,000

In 2021, rates of CS were highest in Arizona, with a rate of 232.3 cases per 100,000 live births. The state was followed by New Mexico with 205.7 cases per 100,000 births and Louisiana came in third with 191.5 cases per 100,000

Between 2017 and 2021, the most recent year data is available, cases of congenital syphilis (CS) nearly tripled from 941 to 2,855

Between 2017 and 2021, the most recent year data is available, cases of congenital syphilis (CS) nearly tripled from 941 to 2,855

Congenital syphilis cases were highest among the Black and African-American community, with cases rising from 362 in 2017 to 885 in 2021

Congenital syphilis cases were highest among the Black and African-American community, with cases rising from 362 in 2017 to 885 in 2021

By declaring a public health emergency, it would allow the president to use the Defense Production Act to manufacture more Bicillin. 

Earlier this month, 38 public health organizations called on the White House drug shortage task force to investigate the shortage of the vital medication. 

The Biden administration responded, saying it had already established a taskforce to tackle the STI surge and was focused on repairing critical pharmaceutical supply chains.

Experts warn the eruption of infections in the US is driven by riskier sexual behaviors and less condom use. They also blame drug use during pregnancy, as the rate of women using drugs while pregnant is the highest it’s been since 2017 in some states. 

Regional discrepancies across the country have been observed, with cases higher in border states, the southwest and deep south where healthcare access is limited. States in New England, however, have all but eliminated the disease. 

Researchers also blamed lack of funding and education.  

In 2021, rates of CS were highest in Arizona, with a rate of 232.3 cases per 100,000 live births. 

The state was followed by New Mexico with 205.7 cases per 100,000 births and Louisiana came in third with 191.5 cases per 100,000. 

As for the highest number of overall cases, Texas topped the list with 680 cases in 2021.

The state was followed by California with 518 cases and Arizona rounded out the top three, with 181 cases. 

Congenital syphilis cases were highest among the Black and African-American community, with cases rising from 362 in 2017 to 885 in 2021. 

Cases were second-highest among white Americans, rising from 213 in 2017 to 782 in 2021.

Symptoms of congenital syphilis 

Symptoms of congenital syphilis may include:

  • Deformed bones
  • Severe anemia
  • Enlarged liver or spleen
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
  • Brain and nerve damage, such as blindness or deafness
  • Meningitis
  • Skin rashes
  • Death

Source: Centers for Disease Control 

A report earlier this year from the CDC revealed Mississippi, the state with the highest overall STD rates in the US, is dealing with a particularly concerning situation, with cases of congenital syphilis spiking more than 1,000 percent from 10 in 2016 to 110 in 2022. 

While the overall number of congenital syphilis cases in the state seem low, the CDC is concerned about the rapid rate the cases are rising. 

A possible driver behind the rise: Mississippi has insufficient pre-pregnancy screening, which could prevent unnecessary illness and death.

The states with the lowest rates of CS were Maine, New Hampshire and Wyoming – all reporting zero cases of the STI.

Nebraska reported just one case and had a rate of 4.1 cases per 100,000 live births. 

The state of Maryland did not report any data on congenital syphilis.  

Overall, America is in the midst of an explosion of STDs and every state has seen a spike in syphilis cases between 2017 and 2021. Between these years, cases of the disease increased by 70 percent. 

A total of 2.5 million STDs were reported in the US in 2021 and the STI epidemic has led to a combined rate of 763 cases per 100,000 people in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, an increase of six percent over 2020’s rate of about 722.

[ad_2]
Post source: Daily mail