Babies dying from syphilis in Australia ‘of national significance’

Syphilis has officially been declared a “communicable disease incident of national significance”.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd made the declaration following record notifications of infectious syphilis and a growing number of preventable congenital syphilis cases resulting in infant deaths.

It is a sobering reminder of the health inequities facing rural, remote, and First Nations communities, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) said.

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The crisis reflects long-standing gaps in access to timely testing, treatment, and antenatal care, despite syphilis being entirely preventable and treatable, ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin said.

“In many rural and remote communities, the local rural generalist is the only doctor available,” Martin said.

“They provide everything from antenatal care to STI screening and treatment, and they must be supported with the workforce, training, and tools to respond effectively.”

ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says the crisis reflects long-standing gaps in access to timely testing, treatment, and antenatal care, despite syphilis being entirely preventable and treatable. Credit: Supplied

From January 1 to August 6, Australia has already recorded 3546 cases of infectious syphilis and 11 cases of congenital syphilis, leading to four infant deaths.

In 2024, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians had infectious syphilis rates seven times higher than non-Indigenous Australians. Since 2016, more than half of all congenital syphilis cases have occurred in First Nations babies.

One in three affected infants have died.

In 2023, there were 6566 cases of infectious syphilis and 20 cases of congenital syphilis reported in Australia, resulting in 10 infant deaths.

Between 2016 and 2024, 99 cases of congenital syphilis were reported. Of these children, 33 infants died.

More than half were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants.

“Every one of those deaths is a tragedy,” Martin said

“We know syphilis often presents without symptoms, but with early testing and treatment, congenital syphilis is entirely preventable.”

CRRM continues to work to strengthen culturally safe care and grow a skilled rural generalist workforce, Martin said.

To help support rural generalists in delivering high-quality sexual health care, ACRRM has launched a new STI and HIV Care course.

The course is designed to give doctors the skills and confidence to conduct evidence-based STI and HIV consultations, assess risk, and manage follow-up care, with content applicable to practice nationwide.

“We’re committed to giving rural generalists the tools they need to care for their communities because that’s what ultimately saves lives,” Martin said.

He urged all Australians who are sexually active, especially those planning for a baby, to get a sexual health check.

“Testing is simple, treatment is effective, and awareness is essential to preventing serious outcomes — including a perinatal death rate of up to 30 per cent.”