PAHO says new syphilis cases increased by 30% in the 15-49 year age group between 2020 and 2022 in the Americas.

Syphilis is a bacterial, sexually transmitted infection, and while it is preventable and curable, cases have escalated globally by over one million in 2022, reaching a total of eight million.

PAHO says the Americas currently face the highest incidence worldwide, with 3.37 million cases.

Syphilis can also be transmitted during pregnancy, with figures showing the the percentage of pregnant women with syphilis increased by 28% in the past two years.

Syphilis in pregnant women can lead to severe complications such as miscarriage, fetal death, premature delivery, low birth weight, congenital anomalies, lesions in organs such as the liver, spleen and bones, as well as neurological damage.

PAHO says the rise in infections is due to several factors, including insufficient awareness about the disease; disparities in access to healthcare services, diagnostics and treatment; and the persistent stigma around STDs which may deter persons from seeking medical assistance.