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Rachel V Thomas

Europe Sees Record Surge In Gonorrhea, Syphilis Cases In Over A Decade: ECDC

<span>Sexually transmitted infections</span> (<span>STIs</span>) such as <span>gonorrhea</span> and <span>syphilis</span> have hit record levels in Europe in over a decade, according to new data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (<span>ECDC</span>).

As per the agency’s latest Annual Epidemiological Reports, there has been a sharp surge in bacterial STIs across Europe. It showed that the notifications of gonorrhea and syphilis, alongside congenital syphilis in 2024, reached their highest levels in over a decade, reflecting sustained transmission across multiple countries.

The ECDC blamed the "widening gaps in testing and prevention” behind the spike in STIs. It also called for urgent targeted action to prevent further spread, including among women of reproductive age.

<ul><li>gonorrhea cases reached 106,331, representing a 303 per cent increase since 2015.</li><li>syphilis cases more than doubled over the same period to 45,577 cases.</li><li><span rel="noindex"><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/chlamydia">chlamydia</a></span> remains the most frequently reported STI with 213,443 cases.</li><li>lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) also continued to see ongoing transmission, with 3,490 reported cases.</li></ul>

Bruno Ciancio, Head of Unit, Directly Transmitted and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, said that left untreated, “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”.

“Most distressingly, between 2023 and 2024, we have seen a near doubling of congenital syphilis, where infections pass directly to newborns, leading to potentially lifelong complications,” Ciancio added.

<h2>Disproportionately Affected Groups</h2>

Transmission trends vary significantly across different population groups, the ECDC said.

<span>Men who have sex with men</span> remain the most disproportionately affected group, with the steepest long-term increases in gonorrhea and syphilis.

Among heterosexual populations, syphilis is rising, particularly among women of reproductive age, the consequences of which are a near doubling of congenital syphilis cases from 78 in 2023 to 140 in 2024 across 14 countries reporting data.

Reversing increasing trends in STI cases requires accessible prevention services, easier access to testing, faster treatment, and stronger partner notification to stop onward transmission.

The ECDC urged public health authorities to urgently update national STI strategies and strengthen surveillance systems to better monitor the impact of prevention efforts.  

“Protecting your <span>sexual health</span> remains straightforward. Use condoms with new or multiple partners, and get tested if you have symptoms, such as pain, discharge, or an ulcer,” Ciancio said.

In the wake of increasing gonorrhea cases, the UK in 2025 rolled out a new vaccine. The vaccine, available at sexual health clinics across England, is being offered to people who are at the highest risk of getting gonorrhea.

This includes gay and bisexual men who have recently had multiple sexual partners and another bacterial STI within the last year. This new program is expected to protect thousands of people and save the NHS over £7.9 million in the next decade.

<h2>Gonorrhea Cases Also Rising In The US</h2>

Gonorrhea is also increasing in the US, with the 2025 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing that reported cases of gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis have climbed by nearly 90 per cent since 2004. In 2023 alone, the country recorded more than 2.4 million cases of sexually transmitted infections.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December last year approved two new oral antibiotics to treat gonorrhea: Zoliflodacin and Gepotidacin. These approvals represent the first entirely new gonorrhea treatments in more than three decades.

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Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhea and syphilis have hit record levels in Europe in over a decade, according to new data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).As per the agency’s latest Annual Epidemiological Reports, there has been a sharp surge in bacterial STIs across Europe. It showed that the notifications of gonorrhea and syphilis, alongside congenital syphilis in 2024, reached their highest levels in over a decade, reflecting sustained transmission across multiple countries.The ECDC blamed the "widening gaps in testing and prevention” behind the spike in STIs. It also called for urgent targeted action to prevent further spread, including among women of reproductive age.STI Cases Continue To ClimbThe data for 2024 show that:gonorrhea cases reached 106,331, representing a 303 per cent increase since 2015.syphilis cases more than doubled over the same period to 45,577 cases.chlamydia remains the most frequently reported STI with 213,443 cases.lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) also continued to see ongoing transmission, with 3,490 reported cases.Bruno Ciancio, Head of Unit, Directly Transmitted and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, said that left untreated, “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”.“Most distressingly, between 2023 and 2024, we have seen a near doubling of congenital syphilis, where infections pass directly to newborns, leading to potentially lifelong complications,” Ciancio added.Disproportionately Affected GroupsTransmission trends vary significantly across different population groups, the ECDC said. Men who have sex with men remain the most disproportionately affected group, with the steepest long-term increases in gonorrhea and syphilis.Among heterosexual populations, syphilis is rising, particularly among women of reproductive age, the consequences of which are a near doubling of congenital syphilis cases from 78 in 2023 to 140 in 2024 across 14 countries reporting data.ECDC Calls For Urgent ActionReversing increasing trends in STI cases requires accessible prevention services, easier access to testing, faster treatment, and stronger partner notification to stop onward transmission.The ECDC urged public health authorities to urgently update national STI strategies and strengthen surveillance systems to better monitor the impact of prevention efforts.  “Protecting your sexual health remains straightforward. Use condoms with new or multiple partners, and get tested if you have symptoms, such as pain, discharge, or an ulcer,” Ciancio said.UK Rolls Out Gonorrhea VaccineIn the wake of increasing gonorrhea cases, the UK in 2025 rolled out a new vaccine. The vaccine, available at sexual health clinics across England, is being offered to people who are at the highest risk of getting gonorrhea.This includes gay and bisexual men who have recently had multiple sexual partners and another bacterial STI within the last year. This new program is expected to protect thousands of people and save the NHS over £7.9 million in the next decade.Gonorrhea Cases Also Rising In The USGonorrhea is also increasing in the US, with the 2025 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing that reported cases of gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis have climbed by nearly 90 per cent since 2004. In 2023 alone, the country recorded more than 2.4 million cases of sexually transmitted infections.The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December last year approved two new oral antibiotics to treat gonorrhea: Zoliflodacin and Gepotidacin. These approvals represent the first entirely new gonorrhea treatments in more than three decades.

europe sees record surge in gonorrhea, syphilis cases in over a decade: ecdc

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