Syphilis cases up 300% in city of Milwaukee

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is urging pregnant women in Milwaukee to get screened for syphilis.

It's a shocking statistic -- the number of people diagnosed with syphilis in the city has increased nearly 300% compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that, if left untreated, can affect your heart and blood vessels.

Infected mothers can also pass the infection on to their babies, which health officials say can be fatal.

DHS says per CDC guidelines, pregnant people who live in areas where there are higher rates of syphilis should be screened at least twice during pregnancy, once in the first trimester and again during the third trimester.

DHS recommends repeat third trimester testing in Brown, Dane, Milwaukee, Racine, Waukesha, and Winnebago counties.

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