"Alarming Surge in Congenital Syphilis Threatens Lives of US Infants"

Health advocates are urging the Biden administration to declare a public health emergency as cases of congenital syphilis in the US have quintupled in the past decade, reaching a nearly 30-year high. Congenital syphilis can have devastating effects on babies, including stillbirths and severe birth defects. The preferred medication, Bicillin L-A, is in short supply, with Pfizer, the only manufacturer, not expecting shortages to be resolved before 2024. This shortage disproportionately affects the LGBTQ+ community, as men who have sex with men are more likely to be diagnosed with syphilis. Health officials are calling for increased funding and the use of the Defense Production Act to manufacture more medication in the US.