Syphilis Cases Increase 20x in Alaska

According to data recently reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), syphilis cases have been increasing in most states, and Alaskans are experiencing surges in this sexually transmitted disease (STD).

As of February 20, 2024, the CDC says syphilis is one STD that lacks a preventive vaccine.

"As recently as 2016, Alaska had just 20 cases of syphilis in a year. In 2022, Alaska had 424 syphilis cases or more than a twenty-fold increase," said a written statement from the Alaska Department of Health.

According to an opinion by Claudia Haines published by the Anchorage Daily News, Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska's chief medical officer, wrote, "Everyone of reproductive age who is sexually active should be tested for syphilis if they are unsure of their syphilis status."

"Everyone should get retested each time they have a new sexual partner, and every 3-6 months if they have multiple partners."

Alaska's epidemiology team identified several barriers faced by the increasing number of people testing positive for syphilis and women birthing babies with congenital syphilis. 

The complete, unedited ADN news article is posted at this link.

According to the CDC, the national congenital syphilis rate of 102.5 cases per 100,000 live births in 2022 represents a 30.6% increase relative to 2021. From 2021 to 2022, the rate of P&S syphilis increased by 17.2%.

In 2022, 3,755 cases of congenital syphilis were reported nationwide, including 282 congenital syphilis-related stillbirths and infant deaths.