What’s New
The latest from CDC’s Division of STD Prevention, as well as new resources, programs, and website updates.
CDC Laboratory Recommendations for Syphilis Testing, United States, 2024 (February 6, 2024)
- Syphilis testing recommendations for choosing among multiple testing methods, establishing standard operating procedures for collecting and processing specimens, interpreting test results for laboratory reporting, and counseling and treating patients for syphilis.
Sexually Transmitted Infections Surveillance, 2022 (January 30, 2024)
- Announcement: Laura Bachmann, MD, Acting Director for DSTDP, on the most recent release of national STI trends in the U.S.
- Social Media & More: Messages and graphics to help you promote the new report and engage with your community.
- Syphilis Supplement: Trends in surveillance data on selected behaviors among reported primary and secondary syphilis cases for 2018-2022. Data points, slides, and technical notes are available.
Update on Bicillin L-A® Shortage
Dear Colleague Letter: A note from Laura Hinkle Bachmann, MD, MPH, FIDSA, FACP, Acting Division of STD Prevention Director and Dr. Jonathan Mermin, MD, MPH, Director of Director of the National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention on FDA’s recent announcement about the availability of Extencilline to address the ongoing shortages of Bicillin L-A®.
Dear Colleague Letter: Laura Hinkle Bachmann, MD, MPH, FIDSA, FACP, Acting Division of STD Prevention Director announces that CDC’s Division of STD Prevention has named its new Deputy Division Director and Associate Director for Health Equity.
CDC Vital Signs on the Congenital Syphilis Surge: In 2022, more than 3,700 babies were born with syphilis, which was more than 10 times the number in 2012. Timely testing and treatment during pregnancy might have prevented almost 9 in 10 cases in 2022. Tailored strategies can address missed prevention opportunities during pregnancy. (November 7, 2023)
- Media Statement: U.S. Syphilis Cases in Newborns Continue to Increase: A 10-Times Increase Over a Decade
- MMWR: Vital Signs: Missed Opportunities for Preventing Congenital Syphilis — United States, 2022
The First Friday of October is National Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) Recognition Day (October 6, 2023)
- Dear Colleague Letter: A special thanks from Dr. Leandro Mena, Division of STD Prevention Director.
Public comment period for Doxy PEP Guidelines (October 2, 2023)
- Dear Colleague Letter: Dr Leandro Mena, MD, MPH, FIDSA, Division of STD Prevention Director announces that CDC is requesting public input on Guidelines for the Use of Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis for Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Prevention. This document provides draft Doxy PEP guidelines to prevent some bacterial STIs. The comment period will close in 45 days. An informational presentation is available.
Funding for Disproportionately Impacted Communities
- Dear Colleague Letter: Dr. Leandro Mena, MD, MPH, FIDSA, Division of STD Prevention Director announces the award of funding to 26 partner recipients through Enhancing STI and Sexual Health Clinic Infrastructure (ESSHCI).
Update on Bicillin L-A® Shortage
- Dear Colleague Letter: Drs. Leandro Mena, MD, MPH, FIDSA, Division of STD Prevention Director, and Laura Hinkle Bachmann, MD, MPH, FIDSA, FACP Chief Medical Officer of DSTDP provide additional guidance on the limited supply of Penicillin G benzathine injectable suspension products.
Update on STI Prevention Funding
- Dear Colleague Letter: Drs. Leandro Mena, MD, MPH, FIDSA, Division of STD Prevention Director, and Jonathan Mermin, MD, MPH, Director of CDC’s National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention provide additional information on the impact of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 on the 5-year Congressional investment to strengthen the Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) workforce.
HHS Announces Federal STI Implementation Plan (June 8, 2023)
- Dear Colleague Letter: HHS Announces Federal STI Implementation Plan
CDC Finalizes New STI Research Consortium
- Dear Colleague Letter: Dr. Leandro Mena, MD, MPH, Division of STD Prevention Director announces that CDC awarded funding to three organizations to form Sexually Transmitted Infections Impact Research Consortium (STIIRC), which will conduct studies to reverse persistent, troubling trends in reported cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Healthcare providers and health departments can now report suspected gonorrhea and Mycoplasma genitalium treatment failures to the CDC. (December 12, 2022)
Mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen) Web Resources (November 18, 2022)
- Basic fact sheet with general information about Mgen
- Detailed fact sheet with specific information for healthcare providers
- Mgen treatment and care information for healthcare providers
STI Treatment (Tx) Guide Mobile App: The new app is more comprehensive, more integrated, and includes more features to help with patient care. (September 19, 2022)
- Medscape Commentary: CDC experts highlight five key changes to know about the 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines. (October 12, 2022)
Preliminary 2021 STD Surveillance Data (September 1, 2022)
- Social Media & More: Messages, graphics, and other materials to help you engage with your community
Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Surveillance, 2020 (April 12, 2022)
- Announcement: CDC’s STD Director on the release of national STD trends in the U.S.
- Press Release: New data suggest STDs in the U.S. continued to increase during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic
- Social Media & More: Messages and graphics to help you promote 2020 STD surveillance data.
STD Awareness Week (April 10-16, 2022)
- STD Awareness Week Campaign Toolkit: Ideas on planning activities for the observance
- Each campaign offers a variety of premade social media graphics and customizable messages
- NEW! Prepare Before You’re There: Encourages people to make a prevention “game plan” before they’re in the “heat of the moment”
- GYT: Get Yourself Tested: Encourages young people to get tested for STDs and HIV
- Talk | Test | Treat: Encourages people and healthcare providers to take these three actions
STD Prevention and Control in 2021: A Year in Review
- Dear Colleague Letter: Dr. Leandro Mena, MD, MPH, Division of STD Prevention Director, on STD prevention and control accomplishments in 2021 and upcoming events and resources for 2022.
FDA Alert: Possible False RPR Reactivity with Syphilis Test
- Dear Colleague Letter: A note from Dr. Leandro Mena, Director of CDC’s Division of STD Prevention on FDA’s recent alert about the Bio-Rad Laboratories BioPlex 2200 Syphilis Total & RPR kit. (December 20, 2021)
Historic Five‐Year Investment for Disease Intervention Specialists Workforce
- Dear Colleague Letter: CDC’s Division of STD Prevention distributes $200 million to health departments for the first year of the CDC Disease Intervention Specialists Workforce Development Supplement. (September 24, 2021)
Congenital Syphilis Diagnosed Beyond the Neonatal Period in the United States: 2014-2018: New study finds 67 symptomatic infants were diagnosed with congenital syphilis beyond the neonatal period (>28 days) during this time. (August 31, 2021)
Dr. Leandro Mena is the new Director for the Division of STD Prevention
- Dear Colleague Letter: Dr. Leandro Mena, MD, MPH, Division of STD Prevention Director, on the future of STI prevention and joining CDC. (August 2, 2021)
Dear Colleague Letter from the Division of STD Prevention: CDC Awards $11.1 Million for HIV Prevention Services in STD Clinics.
- Dear Colleague Letter from the Division of HIV Prevention: Advancing the Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative in the U.S. with a $117 Million Investment.
2021 STI Treatment Guidelines (July 22, 2021)
- Dear Colleague Letter: Raul Romaguera, DMD, MPH, Acting Director for DSTDP, on CDC’s publication of the 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines, including notable screening and treatment updates.
- Provider Resources: Access print-friendly version of the wall chart, pocket guide, and guidelines.
- Recommendations for Providing Quality STD Clinical Services (STD QCS): Guidelines companion with recommendations and tools to help healthcare settings improve STD care services.
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Funding to Hire and Train Public Health Workers
- Dear Colleague Letter: White House announces $1.13 billion investment to strengthen the disease intervention specialists workforce. (May 13, 2021)
Sexually Transmitted Infections Prevalence, Incidence, and Cost Estimates in the United States (January 25, 2021)
- At A Glance: STI Prevalence, Incidence, and Cost Estimates in the United States
- Social Media Materials: Messages and Graphics to Help Spread the Word
- Dear Colleague Letter: Announcement about Updated STI Prevalence, Incidence, and Cost Estimates
- Press release: CDC Estimates 1 in 5 People in the U.S. Have a Sexually Transmitted Infection
Sexually Transmitted Infections National Strategic Plan for the United States: 2021-2025
- Dear Colleague Letter: HHS launches nation’s first-ever plan of its kind for STIs. (December 18, 2020)