"Alarming Surge in Syphilis Cases Across Multiple States Prompts Health Officials to Take Action"
Michigan is experiencing a significant increase in syphilis rates, with an average annual rise of 11% since 2012 and a 25% jump between 2020 and 2021. The disease is affecting more women and infants, leading to serious health risks such as infertility, birth defects, and fetal death. Health officials emphasize the importance of routine testing, especially for pregnant individuals, to prevent and treat syphilis early. A recent CDC study highlighted a cluster of ocular syphilis cases linked to a common sexual partner, underscoring the disease's potential to cause severe complications. The state is also facing a shortage of bicillin, the preferred antibiotic for treating pregnant women with syphilis, which is exacerbating the situation.