Uruguay and Peru Roll Out Youth Syphilis Prevention Programs

Uruguay’s National Public Education Administration (ANEP) will launch the pilot project “Hablemos de sífilis” on 28 July via Zoom. The inter‑institutional initiative targets adolescents and young people in the Maldonado department, offering creative contests for secondary students, community detection events and tools for self‑care and treatment, with plans to expand to other departments next year.

In Peru’s Puno region, the Integrated Health Network’s free screening at the Universidad Nacional del Altiplano tested 786 students for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B. One case of HIV and one case of syphilis were identified, and the individuals were promptly referred for confirmatory diagnosis, counseling and treatment. Officials emphasized confidentiality and urged regular testing to break transmission chains.