STI Alarm in Europe as Gonorrhoea and Syphilis Cases Hit Record Highs

Sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhoea and syphilis have reached their peak numbers across Europe, as new research released by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reveals.

According to the report, the number of sexually transmitted infections has hit its highest point since at least 2015, indicating sustained infections throughout several countries and populations.

The number of reported cases of gonorrhoea increased to 106,331 cases in 2024, up from 2015 numbers, which stood at less than a third of those numbers.

Syphilis cases rose to 45,557, an almost two-fold increase since 2015.

Although chlamydia remains the most frequently recorded bacterial STI in Europe, with 213,443 cases, overall diagnoses for that infection have slightly declined by around 6% since 2015.

Public health specialists attribute the upward trajectory largely to behavioural and systemic factors affecting detection and prevention.

According to officials at the ECDC, inconsistent screening and reduced access to timely diagnosis have contributed significantly to ongoing transmission chains.

Speaking on the developments, Bruno Ciancio, who leads the agency’s work on directly transmitted diseases, warned that the health implications extend beyond immediate infection.

“These infections can cause severe complications, such as chronic pain and infertility, and, in the case of syphilis, problems with the heart or nervous system,” he said.

“Congenital syphilis cases, leading to potentially lifelong complications, have nearly doubled in a year,” Bruno added.

“Use condoms with new or multiple partners, and get tested if you have symptoms,” Bruno Ciancio emphasized.

Testing Gaps and Rising Transmission

Health authorities say widening disparities in STI screening services are a major driver behind the resurgence.

Reduced testing frequency, particularly among asymptomatic individuals, has allowed infections to spread undetected in community networks.

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Burden by Country Within Europe

Spain had the largest burden among the participating countries for that year, with 37,169 cases of gonorrhoea and 11,556 cases of syphilis reported.

Although there is variability by country in the data on STIs, it appears that the general trend within the region is one of continued increases in terms of sexually risky behaviors.

Even though certain types of infections have increased, chlamydia remains the most common.

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British Data and Vaccinations

Despite the fact that the UK has been absent from the European Union’s dataset as a result of Brexit, data collection still occurs within the country alone.

The British Health Security Agency documented 71,802 gonorrhoea infections, 9,535 cases of syphilis, and 168,889 cases of chlamydia in England for the year 2024.

In response to the increasing levels of infection, a targeted vaccination program was launched in 2025 due to high-level records made in 2023.

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The Image Shows a Healthcare Worker Holding a Vial of the Covishield COVID-19 vaccine. PHOTO/ WHO