The Iowa Department of Public Health says after a few years of plateauing, reported cases of syphilis are increasing in Iowa. Data through August 31, 2019, indicate 209 cases of syphilis have been reported this year, an 11% increase when compared to the same time period in 2018. When examining only the early/infectious stages of syphilis, the increase is even more significant, with 142 cases reported as of August 31 – a 25% increase compared to the same time period in 2018.

Authorities say although increases are occurring in both men and women, the rate of increase for women is much higher. For example, secondary syphilis cases among women increased to 15 through August 31 (compared to two cases during the same time period in 2018). Increases in syphilis among women correlate with increases in congenital syphilis (which occurs when a pregnant person is infected with syphilis, remains untreated, and passes the infection on to the fetus or neonate). There were three congenital syphilis cases in Iowa in 2018. Public health officials are investigating a probable case in 2019, as well.

CDC released national 2018 STD data earlier this month. These data indicate continued increases for chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, but highlighted increases in syphilis, particularly congenital syphilis.
State and national data highlight the importance of prevention, early diagnosis and early treatment for syphilis.

Given the recent increases in diagnoses, increased testing efforts are encouraged for all sexually active populations. At a minimum, pregnant women should be tested at their first prenatal visit. Because syphilitic infection can occur during pregnancy, testing at 28-32 weeks gestation is also often beneficial.