Denmark has become the first European Union nation certified by the World Health Organization for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, a landmark achievement in global public health and maternal healthcare systems.
The certification confirms that Denmark met strict international benchmarks between 2021 and 2024, maintaining extremely low transmission rates while ensuring near-universal prenatal testing and treatment. The validation followed independent assessments by WHO’s Regional Validation Committee in June 2025 and the Global Validation Advisory Committee in August 2025.
“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.”
Health officials say the accomplishment reflects decades of consistent investment in universal healthcare, routine prenatal screening, and integrated maternal health programs. Denmark’s national system ensures pregnant women are tested early and provided immediate treatment where necessary — a strategy widely recognized as essential to eliminating infant infections.
“As the first European Union country to achieve this public health milestone, Denmark’s success is a testament to the strength of its maternal health system and its long-standing commitment to reaching every pregnant woman with the care she needs,” said Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe.
“Elimination means testing and treating at least 95 out of every 100 pregnant women – and 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,” Dr. Hans added.
Under WHO criteria, countries must demonstrate sustained high coverage of HIV and syphilis testing during pregnancy, effective treatment protocols, strong laboratory capacity, and robust data monitoring systems. Denmark satisfied all required thresholds for multiple consecutive years.
National data illustrates the scope of the success. Approximately 5,950 people are currently living with HIV in Denmark, with fewer than 0.1% of pregnant women affected. Routine prenatal testing and early intervention have reduced mother-to-child transmission to zero. Congenital syphilis remains rare due to systematic screening. In 2024, 626 syphilis cases were recorded nationwide, predominantly among men.
Denmark is now working toward what health experts call “triple elimination,” which includes hepatitis B. Chronic hepatitis B prevalence is estimated between 0.2% and 0.3%, primarily among migrants from regions where the virus is more common. WHO officials say the country is on track for eventual validation in that category as well.
“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,” said Sophie Løhde, Minister for the Interior and Health, Denmark.
Sophie continued that “Denmark’s universal health system, built on equal access for all has been the foundation of this achievement. Being the first country in the European Union to reach this milestone is both an honour and a responsibility. We hope our experience can inspire and support other countries on their path to elimination, and we look forward to completing the journey with the addition of hepatitis B to achieve full triple elimination.”
Globally, Denmark now joins 22 countries and territories validated by WHO for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, or hepatitis B, or recognized as being on the path to elimination. Those include nations across Europe, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, reflecting growing international progress in infectious disease prevention and maternal health policy.
