With the introduction of penicillin, cases began to plummet. Twice, the CDC has announced efforts to wipe out the disease — once in the 1960s and again in 1999.

1938 passed the National Venereal Disease Control Act, which created grants for states to set up clinics and support testing and treatment. Other than a short-lived funding effort during World War I,

to historically low rates, with 80% of counties reporting zero cases.

Since then, funding has remained anemic.

By 2013, as elimination seemed less and less viable, the CDC changed its focus to ending congenital syphilis only.

States in the South and West have seen the highest syphilis rates in recent years.

doable and necessary to prevent newborn cases.

Belarus, Bermuda, Cuba, Malaysia, Thailand and Sri Lanka are among countries recognized by the World Health Organization for eliminating congenital syphilis.