Soaring syphilis rates prompts concern for babies as STD prevalence described as a crisis

Syphilis cases in the Kimberley have already rocketed above last year’s figures despite there being another four months of the year to go.

WA Department of Health figures reveal that the Kimberley has seen 64 cases so far this year to 2024’s 59, making it the regional area hardest hit by the sexually transmitted disease.

It comes as syphilis was declared a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance (CDINS) earlier this month by Australia’s chief medical officer, Michael Kidd.

Across Australia, as of August 6, there have already been 3,546 cases of infectious syphilis recorded and 11 cases of congenital syphilis, leading to the death of four infants. Last year, cases of infectious syphilis totalled 5,968 with 10 congenital cases and four infant deaths.

“Declaring a CDINS will bring together national efforts to co-ordinate an enhanced national response,” Dr Kidd said.

“I am very concerned about the ongoing impact of syphilis on public health. Syphilis is preventable, and is easy to treat if found early. Testing and treatment are simple and accessible.”

In WA the only region that has a higher incidence of infectious syphilis than the Kimberley is metro Perth with a whopping 342 cases so far this year.

The Pilbara sits in third place with 26 cases. Last year, the region notched up a total of 53.

Symptoms vary at each stage of the virus but often take the form of painless sores, or rash on the body, palms or soles of the feet.

Many people do not show symptoms but can still pass the infection on to their sexual partners.

Syphilis can cause serious complications if not treated and if women contract it during pregnancy it can be passed onto the baby, leading to congenital syphilis.

Statewide, there have been three recorded cases of congenital syphilis so far this year, one in the Pilbara, one in the Goldfields and one in metro Perth.

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.

The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, the peak organisation for rural, remote and First Nations health care, said the declaration of syphilis as a CDINS was a sobering reminder of health inequities facing the communities it serves.

In the Kimberley so far this year, 61 of the people with infectious syphilis were Aboriginal. Just three were classed as “non-Aboriginal”. In the Pilbara the split was 22 to four.

ACRRM president Rod Martin said that the crisis reflected long-standing gaps in access to timely testing, treatment, and antenatal care, despite syphilis being entirely preventable and treatable.

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

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

Dr Martin 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.”

It’s not the first time WA has faced soaring syphilis numbers.

Just as the world began to recover from the COVID pandemic, syphilis began to rear its head in WA in a major way, with the number of cases skyrocketing to 843 Statewide.

Reports at the time claimed the outbreak began in the Kimberley as early as 2014, and particular concern was also held at that time for indigenous populations where stigma was allegedly discouraging people from getting tested.

Speaking earlier this month, Dr Kidd said that from the 99 cases of congenital syphilis reported between 2016 and 2024, 33 infants died — and more than half (58 per cent) were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants.