Syphilis declared a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance in Australia

Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd AO, has declared syphilis a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance (CDINS) in Australia. Professor Kidd’s statement can be found on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.

Syphilis is having an ongoing impact on public health. By raising awareness among Australians – including healthcare professionals – we can help ensure more people get tested and treated for syphilis and stop the spread of the disease.

Syphilis is preventable and is easy to treat if found early. Testing and treatment are simple and accessible. Congenital syphilis can be completely prevented through early detection and treatment of syphilis in pregnant people and their partners.

More information is available at:

• National Syphilis Response Plan 2023–2030
• Syphilis for health professionals
• Syphilis
• Sexual health

What can healthcare workers do?

Healthcare workers should ensure they are across the latest guidelines and recommendations for testing and treating infectious syphilis. You can also refer to ASHM’s Syphilis Decision Making Tool. 

Syphilis is preventable, and easy to treat if found early. However, syphilis can often show no symptoms – meaning it requires a proactive and vigilant approach.

Most states and territories now recommend syphilis testing at least three times during pregnancy, aligning with the latest Living Evidence for Australian Pregnancy & Postnatal Care (LEAPP) recommendations.