Syphilis cases rise among young adults in Costa Rica and Argentina

Health authorities in Costa Rica and Argentina are reporting significant increases in syphilis cases, with a notable impact on younger populations.

In Costa Rica, the Ministry of Health reported 2,591 syphilis cases during the first 35 weeks of 2026, representing a 20.96% increase compared to the same period in 2025. The national rate reached 49.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. San José recorded the highest total with 1,057 cases, while the province of Limón saw the highest incidence rate at 91.1 per 100,000 inhabitants. The highest infection rates were observed in the 25 to 29 age group.

In Argentina, preliminary data from AHF Argentina centers in Buenos Aires and Rosario indicate that syphilis diagnoses among individuals aged 20 to 29 increased by 24.6% between 2024 and 2025. This demographic accounted for approximately 48% of all diagnoses in these centers. The findings highlight an urgent need for strengthened prevention strategies and increased access to testing and information for young people.