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New Queensland Health data shows 55 pregnant women have been diagnosed with the sexually transmitted disease so far this year.
Testing and treatment for syphilis is free. In Queensland, six babies have died in less than three years after contracting syphilis in the womb. Queensland Health data shows 55 pregnant women have been diagnosed with the sexually transmitted disease so far this year.
Infectious disease physician Candice Holland said many babies born with congenital syphilis died shortly after birth. New Queensland Health data shows 55 pregnant women have been diagnosed with the sexually transmitted disease so far this year and six babies have developed congenital syphilis — where the bacterial infection was passed from mother to baby. One Queensland baby died from the preventable condition in 2026, three died in 2025, and two in 2024.
Brisbane-based infectious disease and public health physician Candice Holland said many babies born with congenital syphilis died shortly after birth. Some babies with syphilis were also stillborn. Public health physician Dr Candice Holland says many babies born with syphilis die shortly after birth. Dr Holland said babies who survived could be left with lifelong health conditions such as blindness, deafness, developmental delays, and problems with their bones and internal organs.
"It's really important that we diagnose that syphilis infection if it occurs in pregnancy as early as possible so that we can reduce the risk of those longer-term complications in the baby," she said. A simple blood test can detect the disease. Dr Holland said if women infected during pregnancy received appropriate treatment, they "have excellent outcomes for themselves and their babies".
"They can have a small lesion which may go unnoticed because it usually doesn't cause any pain," she said. "That can disappear on its own and then later, people can either have no symptoms for a long time, or they can get symptoms which can look like a lot of other infections, like influenza. Women are recommended to be tested for syphilis three times during pregnancy.
Dr Holland said people could pass the infection on even when they were not experiencing any symptoms. Australia's Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd declared syphilis a communicable disease incident of national significance in August last year amid ongoing high case numbers and concerns about congenital syphilis.
So far in 2026, 1,126 cases of infectious syphilis have been diagnosed in Queensland — about 20 per cent more than the average for the past five years at this stage of the year. Since 2011, Queensland Health data shows First Nations infants make up 65 per cent of congenital syphilis numbers, accounting for 31 cases.
Robert Monaghan, who manages the First Nations Research Unit at the Kirby Institute, based at the University of NSW, said geographical isolation, shame and stigma could impede diagnoses.
"In 2026, if we're looking at babies dying because of treatable diseases, it's just not acceptable in Australia. "We need to be doing more. We need to be investing more. We need culturally appropriate services that are designed, delivered by First Nations people.
" Queensland Health's Communicable Diseases Branch executive director Olivia Williams recommended that sexually active people should consider a full sexual health screen every six to 12 months, or with every new partner. ABC News: Janelle MilesDr Williams said when someone was diagnosed with syphilis, it was important their sexual partners were notified so they could be tested and treated, if necessary, to prevent ongoing transmission.
"In Queensland, we have an action plan that really focuses on increasing awareness for the general public, increasing education, and training for clinicians, and improving access to testing and treatment," she said. In medieval times, it was known as "the great pox" and is referenced in the plays of William Shakespeare. Infectious disease physician Dr Candice Holland and Queensland Health executive director communicable diseases branch, Dr Olivia Williams, with a blood testing kit for syphilis.
Although the infection is treatable with penicillin — or alternative antibiotics if people are allergic — case numbers have exploded across the world in the 21st century, including Australia, particularly in the past 15 years. Without testing and treatment, the bacteria can damage major organ systems in adults, including the heart, brain, spinal cord, eyes, and bones, resulting in heart disease, mental illness, deafness and neurological problems.
Infectious Bacterial Infection Queensland Cases Rise Antibiotic Antibiotics Queensland Health Syphilis Outbreak Congenital Syphilis Congenital Disease Pregnancy Women Health Candice Holland
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