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14 clusters · 54 sources · 53 days · First seen · Last updated

Rising syphilis infections across the Americas

Overview

Syphilis infections are rising significantly across the Americas, with Latin America and the Caribbean accounting for 90% of new infections in the region. Data from the AIDS 2026 conference indicates that in 2024, there were approximately 4.2 million new infections, a 15% increase from 2022.

In Chile, cases reached a historic peak in 2025 with 11,155 notifications, a rate of 55.2 per 100,000 inhabitants. In Argentina, the country saw a record high of 46,799 notified cases in 2025, a rate of 117.2 per 100,000 inhabitants. Recent analysis indicates that syphilis cases in Argentina quadrupled between 2021 and 2025, with 76% of those infected falling within the 15 to 39 age range.

In response to these trends, legislative action is being taken in Argentina. In the province of Entre Ríos, a bill has been submitted to the Chamber of Deputies to establish a comprehensive program for the prevention, early detection, and treatment of syphilis. This follows a reported 72% increase in cases in the province, with 811 notifications recorded during the first 44 weeks of 2025 compared to 467 during the same period in 2024. The proposed program aims to utilize the provincial health network, specifically primary care centers, to improve patient follow-up and prevent congenital syphilis.

In Costa Rica, the Ministry of Health reported 2,591 cases during the first 35 weeks of 2026, a 20.96% increase over the same period in 2025.

Entities

Ministry of Health · Argentina · Ministry of Health of Chile · Pan American Health Organization · World Health Organization

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. [HEALTH] 3 sources
    Public health initiatives proposed in Entre Ríos and Sinaloa

    Legislators in Entre Ríos, Argentina, and Sinaloa, Mexico, are proposing new health programs to combat rising syphilis rates and improve the early detection of eye diseases.

  2. [HEALTH] 9 sources
    Argentina faces surge in syphilis cases among young adults

    Syphilis cases in Argentina have quadrupled since 2021, primarily affecting people aged 15–39. New rapid testing and prevention centers have been opened in Olavarría to combat the rising infection rates.

  3. [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Syphilis prevention and testing emphasized in Argentina and Mexico

    Health officials in Argentina and Mexico are urging increased testing and condom use to combat syphilis, noting that many infections remain asymptomatic and can lead to serious complications if untreated.

  4. [HEALTH] 3 sources
    Syphilis cases rise among young adults in Costa Rica and Argentina

    Syphilis cases are rising in Costa Rica and Argentina, with significant increases reported among young adults aged 20 to 29.

  5. [HEALTH] 3 sources
    Argentina health officials report rising syphilis cases

    Health officials in Argentina report rising syphilis rates, with significant increases in the Capital and a rate in Tierra del Fuego that exceeds the national average.

  6. [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Syphilis infection rates rise in Argentina and Chile

    Syphilis rates are rising in South America, with significant increases reported in Argentina's Río Negro province and across Chile, particularly among young adults.

  7. [HEALTH] 5 sources
    Argentina launches sexual health and HIV prevention campaigns

    Argentina launches sexual health campaigns in Plaza Huincul and Tres Arroyos, featuring HIV testing and youth-focused prevention festivals to combat rising STI rates.

  8. [HEALTH] 3 sources
    Chile faces rising syphilis rates and cervical cancer prevention gaps

    Chile reports record syphilis rates and faces challenges in cervical cancer prevention, with health officials pushing for higher Pap test coverage to combat rising reproductive health risks.

  9. [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Aysén region reports sharp rise in syphilis cases in Chile

    Chile's Aysén region reports a sharp rise in syphilis cases, reaching 90.1 per 100,000 inhabitants. Officials are calling for urgent health plans to address the significant increase in transmission.

  10. [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Argentina records historic high in syphilis cases

    Argentina recorded a record 46,799 syphilis cases in 2025, with 76% of diagnoses occurring in people aged 15 to 39.

  11. [HEALTH] 6 sources
    STI trends show rising infections and testing gaps in Mexico and Argentina

    Health experts report rising STI trends in Latin America, noting a significant testing gap for women in Yucatán and a record peak in syphilis cases in Argentina.

  12. [HEALTH] 4 sources
    Chilean lawmakers warn of historic syphilis outbreak in elderly

    Chilean lawmakers have issued a ‘red alert’ following a historic rise in syphilis cases among adults over 60, who account for 13.9% of the country's 11,155 total notifications in 2025.

  13. [HEALTH] 9 sources
    Syphilis cases surge across Latin America and Chile

    Syphilis cases are surging in Latin America, with 90% of the Americas' new infections occurring in the region. Chile reports historic highs, particularly among women over 60.

  14. [HEALTH] 3 sources
    Argentina reports record syphilis cases amid rising transmission

    Argentina reports record syphilis cases in 2025, prompting Tucumán to partner with PAHO on the ETMI Plus strategy to prevent mother-to-child transmission of infectious diseases.

Sources

acciongay.cl · amigospenquistas.cl · barilochedigital.com · bavaronews.com · comunicaciontucuman.gob.ar · cutralcoalinstante.com · desdematanza.com.ar · deultimominuto.net · dialogosdosul.operamundi.uol.com.br · diario3.com.ar · diarioelatlantico.com.ar · diarioelcentro.cl · diarioelinformante.com.ar · diarioelpulso.cl · diariopampero.com · elheraldo.com.ar · elinformadorchile.cl · elmauleinforma.cl · elmonterizo.com · elperiscopio.cl · elpinguino.com · elreporterodeiquique.com · enlineanoticias.com.ar · finde.latercera.com · fmimpacto107.com.ar · g5noticias.cl · hoy.com.do · hoytamaulipas.net · jujuyahora.com · labandadiario.com.ar · ladiscusion.cl · lanacion.com.co · lanigua.com.mx · lineadirectaportal.com · lu32.com.ar · mejorinformado.com · meteored.cl · noregs.no · noticias.calamaenlinea.cl · noticias.unab.cl · noticiasdemalaga.es · noticiasperico.com.ar · poresto.net · quilmespresente.com · radiosantafe.com · reporteconfidencial.info · rln.cl · saltadiario.com.ar

This summary has been updated 13 times: see revision history