The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is urging countries and health professionals, including those in the Caribbean, to step up the fight against syphilis and congenital syphilis which, though preventable and curable, affect thousands of people each year. Photo: Internet Source

According to the Epidemiological Review of Syphilis in the Americas, launched last month by PAHO, an estimated 4.6 million people have syphillis in the region.

In 2020, countries reported 29,147 cases of congenital syphilis, and preliminary figures reported to PAHO for 2021 indicate more than 30,000 infections transmitted via mother to child.

"The number of people affected remains unacceptably high for a disease that should no longer exist," Dr Marcos Espinal, acting assistant director of PAHO, said.

"We must redouble our efforts to stop the chains of transmission and syphillis from spreading, both in vulnerable populations and in pregnant women and newborn children. Treatment is available and affordable."

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that can cause neurological, cardiovascular, and dermatological disorders in adults. It can also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, and can cause miscarriage, foetal death, prematurity, or severe disabilities in newborns.

In 2016 countries around the world pledged at the World Health Assembly to reduce new cases of syphillis by 90 per cent between 2018 and 2030, and to reduce new cases of congenital syphillis to less than 50 per 100,000 live births. Currently, the incidence of congenital syphilis in the region of the Americas is 200 per 100,000 — well above the target required to achieve elimination.