Outbreak of this Victorian-era disease labelled a 'health disaster and tragedy' (opens original article in a new tab)

Australia is experiencing a resurgence of syphilis, with rising infection rates and preventable deaths, particularly among First Nations communities.

• Neurosyphilis, a late-stage form of syphilis, is resurging in Australia despite being preventable and curable
• Annual syphilis notifications in Australia nearly doubled from 4,773 in 2015 to 8,993 in 2025
• 60% of congenital syphilis-related infant deaths in Australia involved First Nations children
• The Northern Territory has 7.5 times higher syphilis notification rates than the national average
• Over 40 babies in Australia have died from congenital syphilis