The number of cases of syphilis is on the rise in Barbados and the Ministry of Health and Wellness is urging people to safeguard their health through safer sexual practices, regular testing and prompt treatment.

According to statistics from the Ministry, there were 14 835 positive tests at the Best dos Santos Public Health Laboratory in 2025 compared to 12 731 the previous year. There were 156 new cases in 2025, up from 107 in 2024.

The majority of the new syphilis cases occurred in the 20-29 age group, accounting for 40.2 per cent in 2024 and 3.8 in 2025. Of that number, 61 per cent were males in 2025, down from 2.1 per cent in 2024.