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This disease to be prevented has killed 37 babies since 2016. This is what you need to know
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This disease to be prevented has killed 37 babies since 2016. This is what you need to know

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Death from children who are linked to a sexually transmitted disease in Australia, have encouraged health agencies to sound alarm.
Chief Medical Officer, Michael Kidd, said on Thursday to an incident with the national significance of the transferable disease (CDINs), which adds the statement “will bring together national efforts to coordinate an improved national reaction”.
CDNIS refers to an illness incident that requires the application of national policy, interventions, public communication or the use of commonwealth resources to support the affected areas.
“I am very worried about the continuous impact of syphilis on public health,” said Kidd.

“Infectious syphilis cases have increased throughout Australia, resulting in tragic cases of congenital syphilis and deaths by children who may have been prevented.”

Between 2016 and 2024, 99 cases of congenital syphilis were reported in Australia, which led to the death of 33 babies. More than half were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
So far, in 2025, Australia has registered 3,546 cases of infectious syphilis and 11 cases of congenital syphilis, which have led to the death of four babies.

Here is everything you need to know about syphilis.

What is syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted condition that can lead to serious health problems if it is not treated.

The infection usually takes place in four phases:

  • Primary syphilis
  • Secondary syphilis
  • Latent syphilis
  • Tertiary syphilis
In the past 10 years, Syphilis Case reports in Australia have risen considerably, according to HealthDirect, the virtual information context of Australia, Australia.

The Ministry of Health has reported that since the report in 2004 the infectious syphilism reports reached the highest level in 2023, “people in almost all parts of Australia meet”.

What are the symptoms?

Many people with syphilis do not notice any symptoms, and the World Health Organization (WHO) says that it can also go unnoticed by caregivers.

“Similar to other sexually transmitted infections, syphilis often does not show any symptoms and cannot be detected and untreated,” Kidd said.

Depending on the stage of the disease that the patient experiences, the symptoms vary.
Those in the primary stage can be painless sore or ulcers in or on their mouth, anus, penis, vagina or cervix.
In the second phase, the symptoms include a red rash on the palms, soles of the feet, chest or back, as well as fever, hair loss, headache and fatigue, according to HealthDirect.
Latent syphilis cannot have clear symptoms, and it can remain hidden for life or develop into tertiary syphilis, when the bacteria can damage each part of the body, causing a serious disease.

Who also says that babies born with the infection can experience:

  • Rash
  • Inflammation in the organs
  • Anemia
  • Bone and joint problems
  • Neurological disorders
  • Development delays
  • To attack

Is it deadly?

If it remains untreated, syphilis can lead to serious health problems, especially for pregnant people and their babies, Kidd said.

According to WHO, syphilis can increase the risk of HIV infection and cause serious diseases, while tertiary syphilis “can cause death”.

How is syphilis sent?

As a sexually transmitted infection, syphilis can be transferred during unprotected skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal or oral sex.
Syphilis is very contagious during the primary and secondary phases; Even in the early latent phase, when no ulcers are present, infected individuals can still transfer the disease to others.
The disease can also spread to babies during pregnancy, which leads to serious health problems.

It can also be translated from time to time by blood pollution.

Is there a remedy for syphilis?

The good news is that the disease is medicinal.
“Syphilis can be prevented and is easy to treat if it is found early. Testing and treatment are simple and accessible. Congenable syphilis can be fully prevented by early detection and treatment of syphilis in pregnant people and their partners,” Kidd said.

Although there is no effective vaccine for syphilis, HealthDirect suggests that syphilis can also be prevented by practicing safe sex.

Who runs more risk?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remain disproportionately affected, with infectious syphilis reporting percentages that are seven times higher than those of non-Native Australians in 2024.
According to HealthDirect, other population groups that run more risk are men who have sex with men, fertile age and people who live in outback areas or regional and remote Australia.

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