A United Front: Working Together to Prevent Congenital Syphilis

Queensland is currently grappling with a severe syphilis outbreak. Since the early 2000s, the incidence has surged nine-fold, particularly impacting First Nations populations and rural areas. The increasing number of cases among women of reproductive age has led to a concerning rise in congenital syphilis. This webinar will examine the impact of this outbreak on pregnant women and newborns, and discuss tailored prevention, screening, and treatment strategies for Queensland. 

Congenital syphilis poses serious health risks, including neonatal death, stillbirth, and significant long-term health issues in surviving infants. The resurgence of syphilis in Queensland underscores the urgent need for comprehensive public health strategies. Enhanced screening, prompt treatment, and targeted education are crucial to reduce the impact on mothers and their babies. 

Join our 60-minute webinar to gain insights into the latest strategies and best practices for managing syphilis during pregnancy and preventing congenital syphilis in Queensland. This webinar is primarily focused on Queensland, but all are invited.

For more information, visit the Australian STI Management Guidelines here and Queensland Health’s syphilis outbreak response here. 

Date, Time & Venue: 

Date: Wednesday 31 July 2024

Times:

• 5:00pm – 6:00pm (AWST)
• 6:30pm – 7:30pm (ACST)
• 7:00pm – 8:00pm  (AEST)

Target Audience: 

General Practitioners, Nurses, Midwives, and Primary care providers 

Speakers:

• Elena McLeish – CNC, Queensland Syphilis Surveillance Service, Metro North Public Health Unit
• Dr Angela Smith – Senior Medical Officer, Metro North Sexual Health and HIV Service

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to

1. Describe the epidemiology of the current syphilis outbreak in Australia and explain the increasing incidence of syphilis among women of reproductive age and its implications for congenital syphilis.
2. Identify and describe the effects of syphilis in pregnant women and newborns.
3. Implement screening protocols in your place of practice for syphilis in pregnancy including the timing and frequency of tests.
4. Discuss the role of healthcare professionals in mitigating the spread of syphilis through patient education, opportunistic testing, and community engagement.

Course Components: 

• 60 minutes live facilitated online session 
• Post-course survey 

Funding:

This activity is funded by Queensland Health. 

For more information: 

Please contact ASHM Education at education@ashm.org.au or call 0431 320 429. 

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