LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — The Michigan Division of Well being and Human Providers (MDHHS) stories that the state has seen a gradual lower in infectious syphilis diagnoses over the previous three years, representing a 29% decline in reported circumstances total since 2021.
This development has continued all through the primary half of 2025, with Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties seeing essentially the most dramatic decline.
Regardless of this, charges in Michigan stay “historically” excessive. An infection charges spiked between 2014 and 2021.
“We are encouraged to see the significant progress Michigan has made in reducing syphilis rates through strong partnerships, innovative public health strategies and expanded access to prevention and treatment,” Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical govt for the State of Michigan, mentioned in a information launch.
“But these numbers also highlight the continued urgency of our work, especially around congenital syphilis,” she continued. “Every case represents an opportunity to do more, and we remain committed to protecting the health of all Michiganders.”
In keeping with a Heart for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) evaluation, congenital syphilis circumstances have been stopped by public well being motion at a fee of 71% in Michigan, practically 10% extra continuously than the nationwide common.
The MDHHS attributes this success to the dedication of native well being departments and different community-based organizations.
Whereas these numbers seem promising, MDHHS says that the work is just not performed. Will increase have occurred in some areas outdoors southeast Michigan, and ladies have seen a smaller lower in circumstances than males.
MDHHS provides that whereas total infectious syphilis circumstances have declined, circumstances of congenital syphilis haven’t.
Since 2021, congenital syphilis circumstances have elevated 38%, leveling off in recent times with 55 births in 2023, 58 in 2024, and an anticipated 50-60 births in 2025.
