Barbados reports sharp rise in syphilis cases, urges increased testing and safer sex practices
Key Points(5)
- Health authorities in Barbados are urging the public to adopt safer sexual practices and seek regular testing after new data showed a significant rise in syphilis cases across the island.
- The Ministry of Health and Wellness said national surveillance data recorded 156 new cases of syphilis in 2025, up from 107 in 2024 — an increase of roughly 46 percent.
- Officials said the infection continues to be most prevalent among younger adults, particularly those aged 20 to 29.
- That age group accounted for 37.8 percent of cases in 2025 and 40.2 percent in 2024, with men representing the majority of infections in both years.
- Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that is both preventable and curable, but health officials warned that many people may not realize they are infected in the early stages because symptoms can be mild or absent.
Health authorities in Barbados are urging the public to adopt safer sexual practices and seek regular testing after new data showed a significant rise in syphilis cases across the island.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness said national surveillance data recorded 156 new cases of syphilis in 2025, up from 107 in 2024 — an increase of roughly 46 percent.
Officials said the infection continues to be most prevalent among younger adults, particularly those aged 20 to 29. That age group accounted for 37.8 percent of cases in 2025 and 40.2 percent in 2024, with men representing the majority of infections in both years.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that is both preventable and curable, but health officials warned that many people may not realize they are infected in the early stages because symptoms can be mild or absent.
The Ministry said testing has also increased, with the Best dos Santos Public Health Laboratory conducting 14,835 tests in 2025, compared with 12,731 in 2024. Over the past five years, positivity rates have ranged between 2.1 percent and 4.1 percent, with an average of 2.9 percent.
Health officials outlined common symptoms, including painless sores at the genitals, anus or mouth, as well as rashes that may appear on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet. Other possible symptoms include fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat and body aches. Officials stressed that symptoms may come and go or be mistaken for other conditions, but the infection remains present if untreated.
They warned that untreated syphilis can lead to severe long-term complications affecting the brain, heart and other organs. In pregnancy, it can result in miscarriage, stillbirth or serious illness in newborns — outcomes that officials say are preventable with early testing and treatment.
The Ministry is encouraging sexually active individuals, particularly those with new or multiple partners, to get tested regularly. It said testing is widely available through both public and private healthcare services.
Officials also emphasized the importance of consistent condom use as an effective method of reducing the transmission of syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections.
The Ministry added that individuals who test positive should begin treatment immediately and notify recent sexual partners. It also urged pregnant women to attend antenatal care early to ensure timely screening and treatment where necessary.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness said it will continue to monitor infection trends and work with healthcare providers and community partners to strengthen prevention, testing, treatment and public education efforts across Barbados.
