US faces ‘tragic’ rise in syphilis cases with life-saving drug in short supply

A poster of pregnancy in an examination room at Marys Center in Washington DC. Syphilis, including congenital syphilis, is on the rise. Photograph: The Washington Post/Getty Images

Record-high rates of syphilis and an accompanying shortage of the preferred antibiotic to treat the disease will make it one of the most pressing public health concerns in 2024, an association of public health leaders said.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that was once rare, but has made a “tragic” return in an era of reduced funding for public health. The 27-year high in cases has also strained manufacturing of the preferred antibiotic to treat syphilis, a penicillin formulation called Bicillin L-A.