Data: Virginia Department of Health; Chart: Axios Visuals
State health officials are sounding the alarm amid a spike in babies being born with syphilis.
Why it matters: Congenital syphilis — syphilis passed to the fetus during pregnancy — is easily treatable, but when it's missed, it can be deadly for babies.
That's the highest number in three decades, according to state epidemiologist Laurie Forlano, who noted the cases are overwhelmingly impacting Black and Latino families.
Zoom out: States around the country are reporting similar increases.
Experts point to a drop in funding for STD prevention and reallocation of resources during the pandemic as potential causes, per CNN.