Syphilis spikes in California as health chiefs warn sexually active to urgently get tested
Syphilis infections are surging across the United States, with California counties reporting particularly high rates, prompting health officials to urge widespread testing. Congenital syphilis cases have increased by 700% over the past decade, leading to severe health outcomes for infants. The CDC emphasizes routine screening for sexually active individuals and pregnant women to curb transmission.
- ▪Syphilis cases have risen sharply nationwide, with some California counties reporting infection rates not seen in decades.
- ▪Congenital syphilis has increased by 700% compared to ten years ago, resulting in miscarriages, stillbirths, and lifelong complications in infants.
- ▪Fresno County has the highest syphilis rate among major California counties at 30.4 cases per 100,000 women aged 15 to 44.
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Metro Syphilis spikes in California as health chiefs warn sexually active to urgently get tested By Zain Khan Published May 3, 2026, 6:04 p.m. ET Health officials are raising urgent concerns as syphilis infections surge across the United States, with several California counties reporting particularly alarming rates. Public health leaders say the spike mirrors trends not seen in decades, prompting renewed calls for widespread testing — especially among sexually active individuals and pregnant women, KTLA5 reported. Across the country, syphilis cases have risen sharply over the past decade. In states like New York, infections have increased fivefold since 2013, reflecting a broader nationwide trend.
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