In the last six years, six babies have died in Queensland from syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease that was nearly eradicated in the early 2000s.
In 2008, two cases were diagnosed in Queensland, and in the decade since, more than 1,100 other cases have been recorded in the north of the state, with about 200 new presentations each year.
The numbers continue to grow, despite penicillin being a cheap and effective cure. Cairns sexual health clinician Dr Darren Russell works in the epicentre of the outbreak and said it was "out of control".
“Here we are with a good test, a good treatment and we still can't get on top of it. I'm appalled it's still happening." he said.