Syphilis cases surge across Latin America and Chile

Syphilis cases are rising sharply across Latin America and the Caribbean, which account for 90% of new infections in the Americas. According to data presented at the AIDS 2026 conference, there were approximately 4.2 million new infections in the region in 2024, representing a 15% increase compared to 2022.

In Chile, syphilis reached a historic high in 2025 with 11,155 diagnosed cases, a rate of 55.2 per 100,000 inhabitants. While the majority of cases occur in adults aged 20 to 39, there is a significant increase among older populations. Specifically, the notification rate for women over 60 doubled between 2021 and 2025.

Fourteen countries in the region, including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela, have exceeded the elimination target of 0.5 cases per 1,000 live births. The Pan American Health Organization also noted concerns regarding congenital syphilis, estimating 66,000 cases in the Americas in 2024.