Virginia syphilis cases are increasing, and now there's a treatment shortage

• The Virginia Department of Health asked providers last week to reserve the drug for vulnerable patients with no other treatment options, namely pregnant people and infants.

Threat level: Pfizer, which makes the drug, expects to run out by the end of September and state health officials warned there is no emergency stockpile.

By the numbers: State health commissioner Karen Shelton warned syphilis cases were 22% higher in the first four months of this year than in the same timeframe last year.

Of note: Most of the diagnoses are among people who report using intravenous drugs, Shelton warned.