'Disturbing' Trend: Syphilis Cases Rise In MN Newborns, Pregnant Women

MINNEAPOLIS — Syphilis cases rose sharply in Minnesota in 2021, especially in infants and pregnant women, according to the state's Department of Health.

Minnesota saw a rise in congenital syphilis (CS), or when a pregnant woman passes syphilis to an infant. In 2021, cases of CS in Minnesota increased by 115 percent or up to 15 cases, according to health officials.

"CS can cause low birth weight, harm, or death to an infant if not treated. It is preventable when it’s caught early," said Christine Jones, STD, HIV, and TB section manager at the MDH. "We are encouraging people to get tested regularly for STDs, especially if they are pregnant."

The state's increase in syphilis cases mirrors a "disturbing," health officials said, and are calling for regular testing and prompt treatment to help stem the tide.

The MDH is especially concerned about a syphilis outbreak in the Duluth area and a "sustained" increase in Cass and Beltrami counties.

Health officials aren't sure if and how the COVID-19 pandemic affected cases of sexually transmitted diseases.

“It may take time to assess and understand how COVID-19-related disruptions to health care access or health care seeking behaviors may have impacted and changed the screening rates of STDs and HIV, compared to the pre-COVID-19 era," Jones said.

The MDH provided the following breakdown of STD cases:

Syphilis cases reflected the greatest increase from 2020, with a 33% increase, to 1,457 cases reported in 2021. Fifteen cases of congenital syphilis in infants were reported in 2021. This is a 115% increase from 2020 when seven congenital syphilis cases were reported.

Chlamydia remained the number one reported STD in the state, with 22,578 cases reported, a 3% increase compared to 2020. Most of the cases (59%) occurred in teens and young adults ages 15 to 24. One in three cases occurred in Greater Minnesota, with at least two cases reported in every county in Minnesota.

Gonorrhea remained the second most reported STD in Minnesota, with 9,671 cases reported in 2021, a 5% decrease. This follows a substantial increase in 2020.

HIV infections reported to MDH increased 8 percent, with 298 cases reported in 2021 compared to 275 in 2019.

Overall, new syphilis infections continued to be centered in the Twin Cities metropolitan area and among males, "particularly among men who have sex with men," the MDH said.

But the increase in syphilis among females "was alarming, especially because of the risk of congenital syphilis in those who are pregnant or of child-bearing age."

Pregnant women should be tested for syphilis at the first prenatal visit, early in the third trimester, and possibly at delivery, according to Lynfield.

"For those at risk, it is helpful for HIV prevention to take the daily pill to prevent HIV (PrEP), and if you are diagnosed with HIV, it is important to get on and stay on treatment to lower your viral load, since undetectable equals untransmittable," she said.

"Also, it’s important to remember that many STDs, including syphilis, may not have symptoms or may have symptoms that you miss because they mimic other illnesses. If you’re sexually active, especially with multiple partners, consider including testing for STDs and HIV into your regular health routine."