VDH recently released a clinician letter with HIV and syphilis updates for Virginia providers.

While the total number of new HIV diagnoses in 2024 was lower than 2023, there are increasing trends among youth and Hispanic/Latino populations. These trends should be known by providers, community partners, and health districts to better advise testing, prevention, and care efforts.

VDH updated the Virginia syphilis screening recommendations for reproductive-aged sexually active people (15-44 years).  The guidelines use the 2024 rate of syphilis of all stages among women aged 15-44 to identify counties with “high syphilis rates”

• • In counties where this rate is high – above 4.6 cases/100,000 population – screening for syphilis is recommended for all sexually active people ages 15-44
  • In counties where this rate is below 4.6 cases/100,000 population, providers should continue to assess individual risk factors to determine testing needs as outlined in the CDC Screening Guidelines

Why we made this change:

• • The Virginia syphilis screening guidelines aim to reduce syphilis and congenital syphilis rates. Congenital syphilis cases are at historic highs in Virginia and nationwide. Cases of syphilis among women continue to increase.
  • Congenital syphilis cases can result from maternal infection at any stage of syphilis during pregnancy, not just primary or secondary stages.
  • Prior to this change, the rate was limited to primary and secondary syphilis cases. A majority (79%) of Virginia women are diagnosed in later stages; only 21% were diagnosed in the primary and secondary stages in 2024.
  • Expanding the guidelines to include the rate of all stages of syphilis ensures a more accurate representation of counties with high syphilis rates among

DDP is finalizing plans for digital advertisements that will begin in April/May and run for six weeks. These ads will focus on HIV and STD testing, syphilis/congenital syphilis, PrEP, and DoxyPEP. They will be delivered to audiences and geographic areas with higher HIV and STD incidence.

Local health departments and community partners may see an increase in traffic to their programs as a result of this messaging.

For any questions regarding DDP marketing initiatives, please contact Chris Barnett, DDP Public Relations Coordinator, at christopher.barnett@vdh.virginia.gov.

DDP staff is working on edits to the Virginia Integrated HIV Services Plan.  We are currently in the planning stages of 2027-2031 version of the plan.  The current plan objectives and information can be found on the DDP plan webpage.

A Virginia Integrated Services Plan Town Hall was held on March 4, 2026.  During this meeting staff discussed the current plan, talked about the 2027-2031 plan, and asked consumers and other stakeholders what needs there were around HIV prevention and care in the Commonwealth.  The recording from the town hall can be found online.

VDH staff will hold additional meetings to discuss regional needs as they continue to shape the Virginia Integrated HIV Services Plan 2027-2031.