42 babies die in Australia as cases of devastating STI spike in US

Key Points:

• Syphilis cases, including congenital syphilis, have surged dramatically in the US over the past decade, with congenital syphilis increasing by 700%, raising concerns about infant deaths and severe complications.
• In 2024, the CDC reported nearly 4,000 new congenital syphilis cases, the highest since the 1950s, while Australia has seen 42 infant deaths from the disease in the past decade, prompting national health alerts.
• Congenital syphilis results from untreated infection in pregnant women and can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and severe infant health issues; barriers to prenatal testing and treatment include lack of insurance, fear of immigration enforcement, and mental health challenges.
• Syphilis is preventable and curable with early antibiotic treatment, yet only 80% of pregnant women receiving prenatal care are tested; some states like New York now require multiple syphilis screenings during pregnancy to curb the rise.
• Experts call for expanded access to rapid testing, same-day treatment, and integrated prenatal and substance abuse care to address the epidemic and prevent further infant deaths, emphasizing the need for urgent public health action.