Syphilis
Outbreak Training Website
Responses to the Syphilis Outbreak
Responses to the syphilis outbreak have recognised the need for a multi-faceted approach and to focus not just on syphilis but more broadly, to address the high rates of other STIs and blood-borne viruses (BBVs) among populations affected. Responses have included the establishment of new, and strengthening of existing, strategies.
Examples of jurisdictional responses are provided in more detail at the end of this page.
Enhanced response, action plan (including priority areas) and governance
A National Strategic Approach and accompanying Action Plan were developed by the AHPPC Syphilis Enhanced Response Governance Group and endorsed by the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council (AHMAC) in December 2017.
The Action Plan has short and longer term goals which is aligned with the Fifth National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmitted Infections Strategy 2018-2022.
The following four priority areas are identified in the Action Plan: |
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Testing and treatment |
Increase the:
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Surveillance and reporting |
Enhancing the: · quality of reporting and · improving access to laboratory testing data and · development of key reporting indicators for outbreak monitoring.
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Education and awareness |
Access to consistent and appropriate resources for at-risk communities with a particular emphasis on: · young people · pregnant females and women of childbearing age · the health workforce servicing these areas
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Antenatal care |
Ensuring consistent recommendations for: · repeat testing during pregnancy among females at high risk of infection and · improving the management of perinatal syphilis.
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In addition to the four priority areas, the Action Plan recognises the importance of monitoring the progress of key actions by the Governance Group as well as ongoing monitoring and evaluation through the five National BBV and STI strategies. Monitoring and evaluation plans for the new 2018 to 2022 strategies will be developed in consultation with the state and territory governments and partners.
Note: The Sixth National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmitted Infections Strategy for 2023-2030 are currently in consultation and will be released in 2023.
National and Jurisdictional Syphilis Guidelines
Jurisdictional guidelines for syphilis testing and clinical management protocols |
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Jurisdiction |
Title of Guideline (including website link) |
National |
Syphilis Series of National Guidelines (SoNG), Developed by CDNA and updated in August 2018, provides nationally consistent guidelines for public health units in responding to syphilis. |
Pregnancy care guidelines within SoNG: Syphilis Chapter of the Pregnancy Care Guidelines In addition, the updated in 2019, includes strengthened recommendations for testing females during pregnancy. |
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Western Australia |
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Northern Territory |
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Queensland |
Communicable Diseases Control Guidance and Information : A-Z |
South Australia |
South Australian STI Guidelines Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia STI BBV handbook |
Examples of jurisdictional responses