Syphilis surge as cases more than double in coronavirus-hit Melbourne

Syphilis explosion hits Australia with cases more than doubling in coronavirus-hit Melbourne

• Victorians warned of a surge in syphilis as Melbourne cases more than double
• More than 1000 cases of syphilis were recorded in the state in the last five years 
• Meanwhile eight cases of congenital syphilis have lead to two foetal deaths

Already reeling from a second coronavirus outbreak, Victorians are now being warned of a sudden rise in syphilis cases across the state.  

The Department of Health and Human Services confirmed on Wednesday there had been a surge of more than 1000 cases of syphilis in the past five years. 

Recorded cases of the sexually transmitted infection in Victoria increased from 634 in 2014 to 1,670 in 2019.   

Already reeling from a second coronavirus outbreak, Victorians are now being warned of a rise in syphilis with 1000 cases recorded over the last five years and eight cases of congenital syphilis in pregnant women (stock image)

The results also found the majority of cases in women were in those ‘of reproductive age’ with the potential to fall pregnant, which could lead to congenital syphilis. 

Congenital syphilis occurs as a result of ‘transplacental transmission’ during pregnancy or from mother to baby during birth. 

Untreated or inadequately-treated syphilis in a pregnant woman can cause congenital syphilis in the baby. 

It has re-emerged in Victoria with eight cases reported in the past three years resulting in two foetal deaths. 

‘Congenital syphilis caused by mother-to-child transmission of infection is an entirely preventable public health problem which has re-emerged in Victoria,’ a statement read. 

‘This has occurred on a background of an increase in notified cases of infectious syphilis in both men and women over the past six years.’

It can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, prematurity, low birth weight and a variety of other problems for an affected baby.

‘Babies born with congenital syphilis can appear normal at birth but develop a range of clinical manifestations by two months of age,’ the statement read.

Congenital syphilis can be treated with long acting (benzathine) penicillin, short acting formulations such as benzyl penicillin are ineffective and should not be used (stock image)

‘These include problems with blood, brain, bones, organ enlargement, and muco-cutaneous lesions.’

Late manifestations can appear up to two years after birth, including central nervous system abnormalities, eye and hearing problems, and bone or teeth abnormalities. 

Advice from Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton states all pregnant women should be tested for syphilis during routine antenatal testing in the first trimester.

‘The tests should then be repeated for any pregnant woman at any stage of pregnancy if she has signs and symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease,’ the statement read.   

‘Babies born to mothers who had been diagnosed with syphilis during pregnancy require specialist follow-up.’

Congenital syphilis can be treated with long acting (benzathine) penicillin, short acting formulations such as benzyl penicillin are ineffective and should not be used.  

WHO IS AT RISK?

Women who are at risk of having a pregnancy complicated by syphilis include: 

Those who have more than one sexual partner. 

Female partners of men who have sex with men (gay or bisexual). 

Sex workers who do not get regularly tested for sexually transmissible diseases. People who use or inject drugs. 

Women of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin. 

Those with overseas sexual contacts, especially from countries with high prevalence rates of sexually transmissible diseases. 

Those women presenting with any other sexually transmissible infection during pregnancy.

Source: Victoria Health 

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