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Cardinal Conversation: What's driving up syphilis cases in Virgnia?

RADIO IQ | By Fred Echols
Published July 28, 2025 at 4:24 AM EDT

A disease once considered all but eradicated is becoming more prevalent nationally and in Virginia.

Cases of congenital syphilis, in which a child gets the infection from its mother in the womb, were up 66% in the state last year.

In Southwest Virginia, cases of early syphilis, the most contagious stage of the disease, rose 79% in the three-year period ending in 2024.

Cardinal News health reporter Emily Schabacher is covering this story and she spoke with Fred Echols.

This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
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Fred Echols
Fred Echols is a producer/reporter for Radio IQ.
See stories by Fred Echols