WHO Certifies Denmark for Elimination of Mother-to-Child HIV and Syphilis

The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Denmark for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and syphilis. This certification recognizes Denmark as the first country in the European Union to achieve this public health milestone, ensuring that children are born free of these specific infections.

The validation follows a series of assessments conducted by the WHO’s Regional Validation Committee in June 2025 and the Global Validation Advisory Committee (GVAC) in August 2025. These evaluations confirmed that Denmark met all required targets between 2021 and 2024.

Key benchmarks for this achievement include maintaining low transmission rates and ensuring high coverage of prenatal testing and treatment for pregnant women. Specifically, elimination requires the testing and treatment of at least 95 out of every 100 pregnant women and keeping new infant infections below 50 per 100,000 births annually.

Foundations of Denmark’s Success

WHO officials attributed Denmark’s success to a combination of strong political commitment, consistent investment in primary care, and integrated maternal and child health services. The achievement is underpinned by a universal health system that provides equal access for all citizens.

The country’s progress was further supported by robust laboratory capacity, reliable data systems, and a commitment to high human rights standards. Integrated screening during pregnancy has been a critical component of the national strategy.

The elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis marks a major public health achievement for Denmark. 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.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General

Sophie Løhde, Denmark’s Minister for the Interior and Health, stated that the validation is the result of decades of work by midwives, public health teams, and healthcare professionals to ensure every pregnant woman receives necessary screening and care.

Epidemiological Context and Data

Denmark maintains low rates of HIV and syphilis among its pregnant population. Approximately 5,950 people in the country are living with HIV, and less than 0.1% of pregnant women are affected. Routine testing and treatment protocols have reduced mother-to-child transmission of HIV to zero.

Congenital syphilis, which occurs when the infection is passed from mother to baby, is also uncommon due to systematic prenatal care. In 2024, Denmark reported 626 total cases of syphilis, with 524 cases occurring in men and 102 in women.

Regarding hepatitis B, the prevalence of chronic infection in Denmark is estimated at approximately 0.2% to 0.3%, occurring primarily among migrants from endemic regions.

The Path to Triple Elimination

While Denmark has eliminated the mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, the WHO is now supporting the country as it works toward full triple elimination. This final stage involves the addition of hepatitis B virus elimination to the existing certifications.

Denmark now joins 22 other countries and territories that have been validated by the WHO for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, or hepatitis B, or have been certified as being on the path to elimination. These include:

• Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, and Armenia
• Belarus, Belize, Bermuda, and Brazil
• Botswana, Cayman Islands, Cuba, and Dominica
• Jamaica, Malaysia, Maldives, and Montserrat
• Namibia, Oman, and the Republic of Moldova
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Thailand

The WHO notes that Denmark’s experience serves as a model for other nations, demonstrating the effectiveness of combining rights-based policies with high-quality health services and strong data systems to strengthen EMTCT programs.