Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

Denmark 1st European country to eradicate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis

Denmark 1st European country to eradicate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis

<span>Denmark</span> has become the first country in the European Union (EU) to eliminate mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and <span>syphilis</span> -- two serious, and often co-occurring, <span>sexually transmitted infections</span> (STIs).

The World Health Organization (WHO) validated Denmark for the EMTCT of HIV and syphilis, for low transmission rates and high coverage of prenatal testing and treatment for pregnant women from 2021 to 2024.

“The elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis marks a major public health achievement for Denmark,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. 

“This milestone demonstrates that with strong political commitment and consistent investment in primary care and integrated maternal and child health services, countries can protect every pregnant woman and newborn from these diseases,” he added. 

With the recognition, Denmark is now among 22 other countries and territories validated by WHO for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, or <span>hepatitis B virus</span>. 

<h2>How Denmark Achieved EMTCT Of HIV And Syphilis </h2>

Elimination can be defined as testing and treating at least 95 out of every 100 pregnant women. This also includes keeping new infant infections below 50 per 100,000 births, year after year.

"Denmark has met these benchmarks through strong antenatal care, reliable data systems, and respect for women's rights. We will support Denmark as it works toward full triple elimination, when it adds hepatitis B," said Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe.

"This validation by WHO is a proud moment for Denmark and the result of decades of work by our health-care professionals, midwives, and public health teams to ensure that every pregnant woman receives the screening and care she needs,” added Sophie Løhde, Minister for the Interior and Health, Denmark. 

Denmark has low rates of HIV and syphilis among pregnant women. While 5,950 people are living in the country with HIV, less than 0.1 percent of pregnant women are affected. With regular testing and treatment, mother-to-child transmission was reduced to zero. 

Further, the systematic <span>prenatal screening</span> and care also reduced the cases of congenital syphilis (syphilis passed from mother to baby). In 2024, the country reported 626 cases of syphilis, more in men (524) than in women (102). 

The country is now on track towards validating hepatitis B virus elimination. 

The prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection in Denmark is estimated at around 0.2–0.3 percent, mainly among migrants from endemic regions. 

In October 2025, the Maldives became the first country in the world to achieve ‘triple elimination’ of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B, HIV, and syphilis. The country had achieved WHO validation for EMTCT of HIV and syphilis in 2019.

<h2>Global Prevalence Of HIV And syphilis </h2>

Globally, more than 39 million people were living with HIV in 2022, and over 20 million cases of syphilis were reported among women of childbearing age by 2021.

Syphilis sores create entry points for HIV, while HIV can accelerate syphilis progression. 

While syphilis is curable with antibiotics, HIV is manageable but not curable. 

The sexually transmitted infections are also increasing in prevalence worldwide.

More than 1 million curable STIs are acquired every day worldwide in people 15–49 years old, the majority of which are asymptomatic.

STIs have a direct impact on sexual and reproductive health through stigmatization, infertility, cancers, and <span>pregnancy</span> complications, and can increase the risk of HIV.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

HIV- Human Immunodeficiency Disease

syphilis

prenatal screening

Denmark

hepatitis B virus

sexually transmitted infections

pregnancy

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Denmark has become the first country in the European Union (EU) to eliminate mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and syphilis -- two serious, and often co-occurring, sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The World Health Organization (WHO) validated Denmark for the EMTCT of HIV and syphilis, for low transmission rates and high coverage of prenatal testing and treatment for pregnant women from 2021 to 2024. “The elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis marks a major public health achievement for Denmark,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This milestone demonstrates that with strong political commitment and consistent investment in primary care and integrated maternal and child health services, countries can protect every pregnant woman and newborn from these diseases,” he added. With the recognition, Denmark is now among 22 other countries and territories validated by WHO for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, or hepatitis B virus. How Denmark Achieved EMTCT Of HIV And Syphilis Elimination can be defined as testing and treating at least 95 out of every 100 pregnant women. This also includes keeping new infant infections below 50 per 100,000 births, year after year."Denmark has met these benchmarks through strong antenatal care, reliable data systems, and respect for women's rights. We will support Denmark as it works toward full triple elimination, when it adds hepatitis B," said Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe."This validation by WHO is a proud moment for Denmark and the result of decades of work by our health-care professionals, midwives, and public health teams to ensure that every pregnant woman receives the screening and care she needs,” added Sophie Løhde, Minister for the Interior and Health, Denmark. Denmark has low rates of HIV and syphilis among pregnant women. While 5,950 people are living in the country with HIV, less than 0.1 percent of pregnant women are affected. With regular testing and treatment, mother-to-child transmission was reduced to zero. Further, the systematic prenatal screening and care also reduced the cases of congenital syphilis (syphilis passed from mother to baby). In 2024, the country reported 626 cases of syphilis, more in men (524) than in women (102). The country is now on track towards validating hepatitis B virus elimination. The prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection in Denmark is estimated at around 0.2–0.3 percent, mainly among migrants from endemic regions. In October 2025, the Maldives became the first country in the world to achieve ‘triple elimination’ of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B, HIV, and syphilis. The country had achieved WHO validation for EMTCT of HIV and syphilis in 2019. Global Prevalence Of HIV And syphilis Globally, more than 39 million people were living with HIV in 2022, and over 20 million cases of syphilis were reported among women of childbearing age by 2021.Syphilis sores create entry points for HIV, while HIV can accelerate syphilis progression. While syphilis is curable with antibiotics, HIV is manageable but not curable. The sexually transmitted infections are also increasing in prevalence worldwide.More than 1 million curable STIs are acquired every day worldwide in people 15–49 years old, the majority of which are asymptomatic.STIs have a direct impact on sexual and reproductive health through stigmatization, infertility, cancers, and pregnancy complications, and can increase the risk of HIV.