Over 10,000 Cases: Health Authorities on Alert as Syphilis Resurges

Young Adults in Taiwan Identified as High-Risk Group
Sharp Increase Among Young Men in South Korea
Countries Step Up Early Testing and Prevention Measures

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 this 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 the initial symptoms are mild or may resolve on their own, delayed diagnosis has been identified as a key factor in the disease's spread.

Taiwan is also seeing an increase in cases, especially among younger people. From January to November last year, there were about 9,000 new cases, a slight increase overall, but among those aged 15 to 24, the rate of increase was close to double digits compared to the previous year. To facilitate early detection, Taiwan's health authorities are offering free rapid testing for those aged 24 and under, 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 reported cases of syphilis in 2024, with people in their 20s and 30s accounting for more than half of the cases. While the numbers have increased significantly due to the shift to a comprehensive surveillance reporting system, experts note that the spread among young men is clear. Health authorities continue to emphasize the importance of safe sexual practices and early screening.