State health officials met Thursday to discuss an uptick in syphilis cases across the state, including some areas right here in southern Colorado. Their main concern is a rise in congenital syphilis cases which has led to more infant deaths.
Governor Polis, the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment, Colorado health officials, and other state agencies met in Denver Thursday to talk over "comprehensive plans to address the alarming rise in syphilis and congenital syphilis cases across Colorado."
El Paso County Public Health data obtained by KRDO reveals the number of syphilis cases in the area has consistently increased over the last four years, more than doubling since 2019. The county health department reported 130 cases in 2019 and 264 in 2023.
Congenital syphilis occurs when a mother passes the disease down to her baby which can lead to the infant's death or lifelong health impacts.
In terms of congenital syphilis cases, El Paso County has gone back and forth from zero cases to, at most, four cases since 2019 until last year. in 2023 the county reported nine cases of congenital syphilis.
krdo.com
