Pierce Health Reports 'Dramatic Increase' In Local Syphilis Cases

PIERCE COUNTY, WA — The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is warning the public after a "dramatic increase" in the number of congenital syphilis cases last year.

Between 2016 and 2020 the county averaged just 1.4 cases per year. In 2021, that number increased tenfold to 14 cases. While still rare, that's a significant jump, and has the health department issuing a public health advisory and warning residents to take care.

Pierce County is not alone: Across the country adult cases of congenital syphilis nearly doubled between 2019 and 2021, the health department said, and health care providers are diagnosing cases at record levels across Washington. Still, Pierce County's cases counts have grown so much, they're likely to represent nearly half of congenital syphilis cases in Washington.

Congenital syphillis is when mother with syphilis passes the infection on to her baby during pregnancy, and can cause miscarriages, stillbirth, premature births, and can kill the baby shortly after birth. Surviving children may be left with deformed bones, anemia or other serious symptoms.

Most of Pierce County's cases were among "presumed heterosexuals and women" the health department said. Among Pierce County mothers of children with congenital syphilis, most were 20 to 35 years old, had late or no prenatal care and reported histories of drug use.

As a result of the recent rise in congenital syphilis nationwide, the CDC recommends that all pregnant women get tested for syphilis at the first prenatal visit. The local health department, meanwhile, says it is working to expand resources and outreach for unhoused or underserved communities.

"We work to identify and address root causes of increased syphilis transmission," TPCHD said. "We collaborate with local healthcare providers to increase testing and treatment capacity. We have dedicated syphilis surveillance, prevention and control efforts. Our new Community Health Worker reaches out directly to people who are unhoused or using drugs."

>> Learn more from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.