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WA Syphilis outbreak response

This page provides information regarding the infectious syphilis outbreaks affecting people living in the affected regions of Western Australia. The WA SORG is responsible for coordinating a statewide response to the increasing notifications of infectious syphilis that are being experienced in WA.

An infectious syphilis outbreak was identified in the Kimberley region in mid-2014 with related clusters identified in mid-2018 in the Pilbara region and the Goldfields in mid-2019. In mid-2020 the Chief Health Officer authorised a state-wide public health response to infectious syphilis in identified at-risk populations after increased cases emerged in the Perth metropolitan area and South West region. Of concern is the increasing occurrence of congenital syphilis.

At-risk populations in the following regions include:

  • Kimberley – Aboriginal people
  • Pilbara - Aboriginal people
  • Goldfields - Aboriginal people
  • Midwest - Aboriginal people
  • South West – young Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal heterosexual people, people who use methamphetamine and/ or inject drugs, people who have sex with men who have sex with men (MSM)
  • Metropolitan area – young Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, people experiencing homelessness, people who use methamphetamine and/ or inject drugs, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people who have sex with MSM

NOTE: There is a high rate of syphilis transmission among MSM across WA. Strategies to control infectious syphilis in this population pre-date, and are outside the scope of, the WA SORG.

National response
WA Syphilis Outbreak Response Group (WA SORG)
Sexual health regional coordinators
Communiques
Resources
Syphilis videoconference series
Training / events calendar
Syphilis campaigns

More information

Communicable Disease Control Directorate
Address: Level 3A, 189 Royal Street, East Perth 6004 WA
Phone: (08) 9222 2131
shbbvp@health.wa.gov.au

Last reviewed: 29-04-2025
Produced by

Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Program

wa.gov.au