Three New York Infants Die from Congenital Syphilis in 2025 as Statewide Cases Climb

The New York State Health Department announced Tuesday that at least three infants have died this year from presumed congenital syphilis as infections continue to rise across the state.

Congenital syphilis - a curable bacterial infection transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy - can cause serious complications or death if not detected and treated promptly. Untreated cases may result in miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, or newborn death.

Infants born with the disease may suffer from bone deformities, severe anemia, and neurological issues.

The most recent infant deaths, which occurred in counties outside New York City, highlight ongoing difficulties in halting congenital syphilis infections.

“Congenital syphilis cases are definitely continuing to increase not only across the city but across the state, and to date, we overall have not been able to successfully bring those numbers down,” said Dr. Rodney Wright, vice chair of obstetrics at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx and member of the New York State AIDS Advisory Council, speaking to Healthbeat.

According to state data, congenital syphilis was rare in areas outside New York City until recently. In 2024, there were 36 reported cases in those regions, including five stillbirths and one infant death. By comparison, between 2019 and 2023, a total of eight infant deaths were suspected to be related to congenital syphilis outside the city.

The latest death marks the 21st reported congenital syphilis case in 2025 outside New York City. Health officials attribute the upward trend in part to a rise in syphilis cases among women statewide.

“No baby should die from syphilis in New York state or anywhere in this country; it is completely preventable,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald in a statement. “Detecting syphilis early in pregnancy with a simple blood test is important to ensure rapid diagnosis and treatment, so you have a healthy baby.”

New York City health data shows that congenital syphilis rates remained low before 2018 but surged by 75% by 2023. The city reported 35 cases last year and 15 more in the first half of 2024, according to its sexually transmitted infection surveillance report.

The state’s increase aligns with a national surge. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports congenital syphilis cases rose from 334 nationwide in 2012 to 3,761 in 2022. This parallels the broader rebound of syphilis, which had nearly been eradicated in the U.S. in the late 1990s and early 2000s before resurging.

While syphilis can be treated during pregnancy with penicillin, a consistent supply of the antibiotic has been an issue. U.S. shortages began in 2023 fueled by higher demand, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

In July, the CDC announced a voluntary recall of Bicillin L-A, the long-acting form of penicillin G benzathine, urging providers to reserve it for pregnant patients. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists identifies penicillin G benzathine as the only effective treatment for syphilis during pregnancy and for preventing congenital syphilis.

In an August 1st letter, the State Health Department’s AIDS Institute warned providers that the shortage could persist until fall 2025 or longer.

Three New York Infants Die from Congenital Syphilis in 2025 as Statewide Cases Climb