Urgent warning issued to Aussies after a concerning spike in unborn baby deaths

An outbreak of a treatable sexually transmitted disease has led to a dramatic rise in unborn baby deaths.

Doctors fear that Queensland could see more deaths from congenital syphilis, prompting calls for more screening for sexually transmitted infections to help control the disease.

Syphilis cases are rising in Queensland, affecting unborn babies after an outbreak in the state’s north-west, the Mater Mothers’ Hospital in Brisbane has said.

In 2023, four babies died from congenital syphilis, a disease transmitted from the mother in the womb.

It was the highest annual death toll from congenital syphilis recorded in the state this century.

“If nothing changes, we are likely to see more deaths,” said Jill Parkes-Smith, a specialist in obstetrics and infectious diseases at the hospital.

“I have seen more deaths from congenital syphilis than I ever expected when I became an infectious disease physician.”

The latest state health data shows three babies have already died in Queensland from congenital syphilis in 2024.

Syphilis is spread through sexual contact and can be prevented by using contraceptives such as condoms and dental dams.

The disease is detectable and treatable, but the rate of infectious syphilis has increased from 3.1 to 26.4 cases per 100,000 people per year over the past two decades.

According to Dr Parkes-Smith, increased screening is essential to contain the outbreak.

The disease is detected through a blood test and Dr Parkes-Smith said last year’s unborn baby deaths could have been prevented if the disease had been detected earlier.

She encouraged health care providers to increase screening requests for high-risk patients, especially pregnant women.

“People who are sexually active should consider getting screened if they have a new sexual partner, have not yet been tested, have symptoms or are concerned,” Dr. Parkes-Smith said.

Syphilis can be easily treated with penicillin, but if the disease is left unrecognized it can lead to neurological problems such as hearing loss.

Women are urged to get screened because syphilis can be passed from mother to baby and can lead to stillbirths if left untreated. But if it is contracted, it is easily treatable (stock image)

Congenital syphilis, if left untreated, can increase the risk of birth defects and stillbirth, but can also be easily cured with antibiotics.

“People think syphilis is a historical disease and there is a lot of stigma attached to it,” said Dr Parkes-Smith.

Cases are increasing among both non-Indigenous and Indigenous Queenslanders.

The outbreak started in the northwest, but cases are increasing in the far north, Greater Brisbane and the central part of the state, the hospital said.

Experts believe the increase in cases is due to a decline in condom use, barriers to accessing health care in remote areas, the use of dating apps and possibly the number of men having sex with both sexes.

Syphilis usually has few symptoms, but can manifest as hard sores on the genitals. These can develop into lesions and a non-itchy rash on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet.