Denmark has eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, becoming the first European Union country to ensure babies are born free of both infections.
“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,” said Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe.
The milestone reflects decades of universal prenatal screening, strong maternal care and reliable laboratory systems. Denmark met all elimination targets between 2021 and 2024, with routine testing and treatment reducing transmission to virtually zero. Around 5,950 people live with HIV in the country, and fewer than 0.1% of pregnant women are affected, demonstrating how sustained investment in antenatal care can prevent lifelong infections and protect future generations.
