Need to know:

Infectious syphilis notification rates in Australia have been steadily increasing since 2011, with the majority of cases affecting gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.^1-4 That said, there has been a recent re-emergence of infections among heterosexual populations.⁵

Rates of infectious syphilis in women of reproductive age increased by 233% between 2015 and 2020.⁶ Consequently, rates of congenital syphilis cases in Australia are increasing.^6-8 For the first time in decades, congenital syphilis cases have been seen in urban centres around Australia.⁹ 

Another consequence of rising syphilis rates is an increase in the number of neurosyphilis-related hospital admissions in Australia.¹⁰