"Highest Infection Since 1950"
"Response Gaps Due to COVID-19 Impact"
Syphilis has spread to its worst level in over 70 years in the United States, recording the highest number of infections since 1950. Analysts attribute this to gaps in addressing diseases like syphilis as health resources were concentrated on COVID-19 during the pandemic.
Microscopic image of human tissue infected with syphilis released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Photo by Yonhap News
On the 31st, Yonhap News reported that the U.S. political media outlet The Hill stated on the 30th (local time) that the number of syphilis infections in the United States reached 207,255 cases in 2022, the highest since 1950. Citing a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), The Hill explained that this figure represents a 17% increase from the previous year and about an 80% surge compared to 2018, five years earlier.
Syphilis infection cases were found across nearly all population groups and regions. Notably, the number of newborns born with syphilis reached about 3,700, the highest in 30 years. By stage, cases of primary and secondary syphilis, which are the most contagious stages, increased by 10%, a 68% rise compared to 2018.
The Hill explained, "Syphilis in the United States nearly disappeared in the 1990s but has since resurged due to factors such as public health budget shortages, increased drug use, and worsening mental health issues." It further analyzed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, health budgets and personnel were focused on COVID-19, resulting in gaps in addressing other diseases like syphilis.
Laura Bachmann, acting director of the CDC’s sexually transmitted diseases division, stated in a press release, "The field of sexually transmitted diseases has reached a critical point. The impact of syphilis has not been this severe in decades."
Dr. Scott Harris, Alabama’s health officer, said, "It seems that health authorities have regressed in areas that had previously improved, such as syphilis, because personnel, resources, and attention were concentrated on COVID-19."
Meanwhile, related budgets are expected to be significantly reduced. As part of the federal government debt ceiling agreement, the U.S. Congress plans to cut $400 million (approximately 534 billion KRW) from the public health workforce budget. According to the National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD), if the budget cuts are implemented as planned, state authorities will be forced to lay off about 800 disease response experts.
Elizabeth Finley, spokesperson for NCSD, expressed concern, saying, "Health authorities are calling for measures to curb the spread of syphilis, but without the funds and personnel to implement them, local communities cannot follow such advice."
Meanwhile, syphilis patients have recently increased significantly overseas, including in Japan and the United States. In Japan, as of December 19 last year, the number of syphilis patients reached 13,251, marking the highest number for three consecutive years.
In response to the global spread of syphilis, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reclassified syphilis from a "Class 4 infectious disease" to a "Class 3 infectious disease" starting January 1 this year, adjusting to a full surveillance system. Accordingly, all medical institutions must report syphilis diagnoses or detections to the KDCA within 24 hours, and epidemiological investigations of syphilis patients are conducted. From January to November 2023, Korea reported 386 syphilis cases, a 3.5% increase compared to 373 cases during the same period the previous year.
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