Congenital Syphilis on the rise in New York; three babies dead: All you need to know about the dangerous disease

Health officials are warning about the risks of congenital syphilis after at least three babies have died due to presumed preventable infection in New York State in 2025. There have been 21 cases of congenital syphilis in counties outside of the state this year.In 2024, there were 36 cases in the state outside of NYC, including 5 stillbirths and one infant death. Between 2019 and 2023,“Detecting syphilis early in pregnancy with a simple blood test is important to ensure rapid diagnosis and treatment, so you have a healthy baby,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said in a statement this week.“The highest rates we’re seeing are in Native Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Hispanic populations and black populations,” said Kristin Wall, an associate professor of epidemiology at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health, to ABC News.

What is congenital syphilis?

Congenital syphilis is an infection transmitted from the mother to the foetus following the infection of the mother during pregnancy. The word 'congenital' indicates that the foetus becomes infected during pregnancy, and syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.The probability of the foetus being infected in a pregnant woman with untreated early syphilis infection ranges from 70-100%, with stillbirth being the result in one-third cases.

What happens to babies with congenital syphilis?

Congenital syphilis can have major health impacts on a baby's health. Babies born to mothers with untreated syphilis can die from the infection as a newborn or have:Deformed bonesSevere anemiaEnlarged liver and spleenJaundiceBlindness or deafnessMeningitisSkin rashes

How to prevent congenital syphilis?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are two ways to address the prevention of the disease.One of the first steps is to get a syphilis test the first time you see a medical professional during pregnancy.

If you test positive, make sure that your partner also gets treated.Secondly, the way to prevent the infection is by avoiding any kind of sexual intercourse and if not try being in a monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested for the infection and use condoms every time.The infection is treatable in both mothers and babies and thus visiting a healthcare provider immediately can help.