Doctors are seeking to raise awareness of surging syphilis cases in Japan. Syphilis is a bacterial infection transmitted mainly through sexual contact.

The National Institute of Infectious Diseases says that as of April 7, there had been 3,332 reported cases of the disease across the country this year. Nearly 15,000 cases were reported last year, the most since record keeping began in the current form.

In 2023, 37 babies were born with anomalies after contracting syphilis while in the wombs of their infected mothers.

Doctors handed out flyers to people on Saturday in the city of Yokohama, just south of Tokyo, alerting them to the sharp rise in syphilis cases.

The bills also called on them to visit hospitals if they develop rashes on the body and have lumps and ulcers in the mouth or near sexual organs.

Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology board member Kawana Kei says syphilis cases are spreading across the country, with their numbers climbing in both urban and rural areas.

Kawana says syphilis can be curable if it is treated properly, and urges people to avoid sexual contact that could increase the risk of infection in order to protect themselves and their families.