LOUISVILLE, Ky. — At the end of 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said syphilis cases in newborns had a 10-times increase in just over a decade. Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services also reports a rise in the disease.

The CDC data reveal over 3,700 babies nationally were born with syphilis in 2022. In 2012, there were only 335 nationally. Kentucky went from two cases in 2012 to 35 in 2022.

Dr. Kris Bryant, Associate Medical Director of Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness, said they are seeing an increase in Jefferson County cases. She said the most recent vital statistics data, from the first quarter of 2022, showed there were 37 cases of congenital syphilis.

Syphilis during pregnancy can cause lifelong health issues, miscarriage, stillbirth and even death.

Bryant said, “It can affect the bones, it can cause meningitis, blindness, deafness. The hard thing is, some babies born with congenital syphilis look perfectly fine at birth. So, if they’re not treated, they can go on to develop lifelong health problems.”

The CDC says pregnant women should be tested for syphilis at least one during their pregnancy. The sexually transmitted disease can be treated and cured with antibiotics.

Bryant added, “The good news, with timely testing and treatment, we can treat the pregnant person and we can also treat their baby and prevent lots of health problems and lots of suffering. But, we need to identify more people early in pregnancy. We need to get people into prenatal care. We need to make sure everybody has access to testing and treatment.”

Dr. Bryant said we can normalize syphilis testing in our community. In her eyes, there should not be a stigma associated with that and it should be available to everyone in all neighborhoods.

To find syphilis or STD testing where you are right now, click here to find your local health department in Kentucky.