On July 15, 2021, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) issued a health alert regarding a rise in the number of cases of congenital syphilis (CS). Since 2016, CS in Ohio has increased 146% from 13 cases in 2016 to 32 cases in 2020. CS occurs when the sexually transmitted pathogen treponema pallidum infects a fetus during pregnancy. CS can cause a number of illnesses in infected fetuses, including miscarriage, stillbirth and death shortly after birth.
Here are several of the action items and recommendations from ODH:

• Test all pregnant women for syphilis at 28 weeks and again at the time of delivery. Ohio law already mandates syphilis testing at the first prenatal visit.
• All pregnant women with symptoms of an STI should be tested for syphilis.
• Treatment of syphilis in pregnant patients should be initiated as soon as possible and should be in accordance with the CDC treatment guidelines. Note that penicillin is the only antibiotic which effectively treats syphilis in pregnancy. Individuals with penicillin allergy should be desensitized to and then treated with penicillin.
• Report all cases of laboratory confirmed and suspected syphilis, including congenital syphilis, to ODH by the close of next business day using the Ohio Confidential Reportable Disease Form. Completed forms can be sent to ODH via secure fax to 614-387-3602 attn STD Surveillance Program.

Please refer to the ODH Health Alert for the entire document and complete guidance.