Syphilis outbreak in Hungary

Hungary is experiencing a syphilis outbreak that has led to significant fetal and neonatal deaths. Health Minister Zsolt Hegedűs reported that 100 congenital syphilis cases were recorded by late August 2026. This follows a period in 2025 where 91 cases resulted in 19 intrauterine deaths and seven neonatal deaths. In the first eight months of 2026, the outbreak caused 18 fetal deaths and four neonatal deaths, contributing to an increase in the infant mortality rate from 3.4 to 3.8 per thousand live births compared to the previous year.

The Minister identified systemic failures in the healthcare network, such as doctors being unable to access screening results within the electronic health system, as factors hindering timely intervention.

In response, the National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy (NNGYK) implemented new protocols effective September 1. These guidelines mandate syphilis screening during the first trimester and a follow-up test between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy. For high-risk individuals or those lacking regular prenatal care, rapid testing is required at childbirth. Positive diagnoses must receive specific penicillin treatment within 72 hours, and sexual partners must be notified within 48 hours to prevent reinfection.