"Young Men Should Be Especially Careful": Syphilis Infections Surpass 10,000 as Disease Resurges

New Cases Rising in Japan and Taiwan
Sharp Increase Among Young Men in South Korea
Early Testing and Prevention Measures Rolled Out Across Countries

Syphilis, an infectious disease primarily transmitted through sexual contact, is showing signs of resurgence across East Asia. In Japan and Taiwan, the number of new infections continues to rise, prompting health authorities to raise their alert levels.

Microscopic image of human tissue infected with syphilis released by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

According to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Japan, more than 13,000 cases of syphilis have been reported in Japan from January of last year to the present. The incidence of syphilis in Japan has been on a marked upward trend since the 2010s. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the annual number of cases was in the 6,000s, but for the first time in 2022, it surpassed 10,000 cases per year. Since then, the figure has remained between 13,000 and 15,000 annually. About two-thirds of those infected are men. Among women, cases are concentrated in their 20s, while among men, infections occur evenly across all age groups, from those in their 20s to the elderly.

Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. In its early stages, it can present as a painless ulcer. If left untreated, it can progress to a severe stage involving systemic rashes or spread to the nervous and cardiovascular systems. In pregnant women, there is also a risk of transmission to the fetus. Because early symptoms can be mild or resolve spontaneously, delayed diagnosis has been identified as a key factor in the spread of the disease.

Taiwan is also experiencing an increase, particularly among younger people. From January to November of last year, the number of new cases rose slightly to around 9,000, but among those aged 15 to 24, the growth rate approached double digits compared to the previous year. In response, Taiwanese health authorities have begun offering free rapid testing for those under 24 and have announced plans to introduce anonymous counseling services.

The situation in South Korea is not much different. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, there were about 2,700 cases of syphilis in 2024, with more than half of the cases occurring among people in their 20s and 30s. While the reported numbers have increased significantly due to the transition to a comprehensive surveillance system, experts note that the trend of spread among young men is clear. Health authorities continue to emphasize the importance of practicing safe sex and early testing.