Denmark has officially become the first country in the European Union to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. The World Health Organization (WHO) certified this significant public health achievement on February 27, 2026. Denmark now joins 22 other nations and territories recognized for eliminating these diseases.
The certification follows rigorous assessments confirming Denmark's consistent adherence to low transmission rates and comprehensive prenatal testing and treatment for pregnant women. WHO defines elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission as successfully screening and treating at least 95% of pregnant women, with new infant infections kept below 50 per 100,000 births.
Approximately 6,000 individuals live with HIV in Denmark, with less than 0.1% of pregnant women affected. In 2024, 626 cases of syphilis were reported, the majority in men. Danish officials credit a robust universal healthcare system, strong antenatal care, reliable data systems, and rights-based policies for this success. The nation aims to achieve full triple elimination by also eradicating hepatitis B transmission.