Alaska’s Rising Syphilis Crisis in Newborns | Anchorage News

Alaska’s newborns are facing a terrifying surge in syphilis cases — 14 babies diagnosed last year, the highest in decades. This spike mirrors a 14% jump in adult cases and a 51% rise in long-term infections, mostly in Anchorage and Matanuska-Susitna. Untreated, congenital syphilis can cause blindness, developmental delays, or death — but early prenatal testing and treatment can prevent it. Yet many mothers received little or no care, delaying diagnosis. Health officials are now mobilizing to reach at-risk women with transportation and support — but with Alaska ranking among the worst nationally for STDs, the crisis demands urgent, sustained action. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/1f731c80e05eeaf0