By The Pulseline News Desk
Reported early syphilis infections in Sri Lanka have risen sharply in recent years, with men accounting for the overwhelming majority of cases, according to data from the National STD/AIDS Control Programme.
In 2025, a total of 683 early syphilis cases were reported among men and women, with 508 cases recorded among men, compared to 175 cases among women.
The figures highlight a persistent gender disparity in reported infections, with cases among men being nearly three times higher than those reported among women.
The increase is particularly significant when compared with 2019. That year, Sri Lanka had recorded 89 early syphilis cases among men and 31 among women, for a combined total of 120 cases.
By 2025, reported cases among men had increased by approximately 471%, while cases among women had risen by around 465%.
Although the percentage increase was broadly similar for both sexes, the substantially higher number of cases among men has resulted in men continuing to account for the larger share of reported infections.
The data point to a significant expansion in the number of early syphilis infections being detected and reported through Sri Lanka’s sexual health surveillance system over the six-year period.
Health authorities generally emphasise that sexually transmitted infections can remain undiagnosed when individuals do not undergo testing, meaning reported figures may not necessarily represent the full extent of infections within the community.
Syphilis is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection that can be treated effectively when detected early. However, untreated infection can progress through different stages and may eventually cause serious complications.
The sharp increase in reported cases therefore underscores the importance of early testing, diagnosis, treatment and partner notification, particularly among people who may have been exposed to sexually transmitted infections.
The gender gap in Sri Lanka’s reported figures also highlights the need for targeted awareness and testing initiatives, while ensuring that sexual health services remain accessible and confidential for all sections of the population.
With reported early syphilis cases among men rising from just 89 in 2019 to 508 in 2025, the latest figures provide a clear indication that syphilis has become an increasingly important public health concern requiring sustained surveillance and prevention efforts.
Leave a comment