Syphilis declared a Communicable Disease Incident of National

Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd AO, today declared syphilis a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance (CDINS). This follows ongoing and concerning rises in case numbers in Australia.

Infectious syphilis cases have been on the rise across Australia, resulting in tragic cases of congenital syphilis and infant deaths. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are disproportionately affected, with infectious syphilis notification rates 7 times higher than those of non-Indigenous Australians in 2024. 

Declaring a CDINS enables enhanced coordination of national efforts from the Australian Government and state and territory governments – to stop the spread and dire health outcomes of syphilis.

Read the Chief Medical Officer’s statement.