Dr Rod Martin says the declaration of syphilis as a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance was a sobering reminder of the health inequities facing rural, remote and First Nations communities. Photo: Supplied.
The Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS) is reminding Cape York residents to practice safe sex after syphilis was declared a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance in Australia this month.
While Cape York and the Torres Strait have not yet seen any effects, Australian chief medical officer Michael Kidd made the declaration based on the rising number of infectious syphilis cases in the country resulting in congenital syphilis and infant deaths.
TCHHS acting executive director of medical services Dr Ineke Wever encouraged sexually active community members to get regular check-ups.
“Confidential sexual health checks are readily available throughout our region at all our primary health care facilities, and can be administered as part of a general health check-up,” she said.
Fortunately, Dr Wever advised that the rate of sexually transmissible infections on Cape York and the Torres Strait, including syphilis, was currently either on par with or lower than previous year to date
periods.
“Notifications of infectious syphilis – eight cases to date – in the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service region are on a par with previous year to date numbers or a little lower,” she said.
Late-stage syphilis cases – 7 cases to date – also are on par with previous year to date figures, and the most recent case of congenital syphilis in the region was in 2018.”
In 2024, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians had infectious syphilis rates seven times higher than non-Indigenous Australians.
Since 2016, more than half of all congenital syphilis cases have occurred in First Nations babies, and one in three affected infants has died.
Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) president Dr Rod Martin said the declaration was a sobering reminder of the health inequities facing rural, remote, and First Nations communities.
“Every one of those deaths is a tragedy,” Dr Martin said.
“We know syphilis often presents without symptoms, but with early testing and treatment, congenital syphilis is entirely preventable.”
