The Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging people to test for STDs regularly as a probable case of congenital syphilis was reported to health officials.Officials reported the case on Thursday, saying it is the first case of congenital syphilis reported in a Maine resident in nearly 30 years.According to the Maine CDC, congenital syphilis occurs when a pregnant person with syphilis passes the infection to a fetus during any stage of pregnancy. It can also happen at any stage of the virus.Around 40% of babies born to those with untreated syphilis can be stillborn or die from the infection as a newborn or lead to other newborn/childhood illnesses.The state CDC however, says timely treatment of the infection in a pregnant person is 98% effective in preventing congenital syphilis.From 2012 to 2021, cases of syphilis have increased by 405% in the state of Maine, according to state health officials, with 112 cases reported.
The Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging people to test for STDs regularly as a probable case of congenital syphilis was reported to health officials.
Officials reported the case on Thursday, saying it is the first case of congenital syphilis reported in a Maine resident in nearly 30 years.
According to the Maine CDC, congenital syphilis occurs when a pregnant person with syphilis passes the infection to a fetus during any stage of pregnancy. It can also happen at any stage of the virus.
Around 40% of babies born to those with untreated syphilis can be stillborn or die from the infection as a newborn or lead to other newborn/childhood illnesses.
The state CDC however, says timely treatment of the infection in a pregnant person is 98% effective in preventing congenital syphilis.
From 2012 to 2021, cases of syphilis have increased by 405% in the state of Maine, according to state health officials, with 112 cases reported.
