Health authorities push for 'urgent' action as some STIs reach new highs in Europe
Europe is becoming a hotbed for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), a new report suggests.
The number of syphilis and gonorrhoea cases surged in 2023, while chlamydia remained the most common STI and antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea is an emerging threat, according to the latest annual report from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
In 2023, there were nearly 100,000 gonorrhoea cases in the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
That’s a 31 per cent increase year on year and up more than 300 per cent from 2014, the report found.
Related
Syphilis cases increased as well. There were more than 40,000 cases in 2023, a 13 per cent uptick from 2022 and twice the number of cases reported in 2014.
Left untreated, gonorrhoea can cause serious health issues, including infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease. Untreated syphilis can lead to long-term heart and nervous system complications, the ECDC said, and it can be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby.
While the rise in chlamydia cases appears to have levelled out, it remains Europe’s most common bacterial STI with more than 230,000 cases in 2023, up 13 per cent from 2014.
Why is there an increase in sexually transmitted infections?
The ECDC said there could be a few potential reasons why STIs are on the rise, including more testing in certain groups, less condom use, and a higher number of sexual partners.
The agency said the “findings highlight the urgent need for increased public awareness, prevention, testing, and treatment efforts to address this growing public health concern”.
Related
Officials also sounded the alarm about the risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – when bacteria or other pathogens evolve to the point where antibiotics can no longer treat them effectively – in gonorrhoea.
The agency previously warned that gonorrhoea was becoming harder to treat with antibiotics, mirroring a global trend.
“The emergence of drug-resistant strains threatens the effectiveness of current treatments, making it crucial to emphasise prevention and promote responsible antibiotic use,” the ECDC said.
Related
Last year, the agency warned that the “staggering” rise in cases was a serious public health concern for Europe.
But the trends in 2023 suggest that efforts to tackle STIs have not been enough to curb their spread, particularly among young people.
Women in their early 20s had the highest rates of chlamydia and gonorrhoea in 2023, though gonorrhoea cases surged across age groups and sexual orientations, the report found.
Meanwhile, men ages 25 to 34 had the highest syphilis rate. Most syphilis cases were reported among gay and bisexual men, but the rate also increased among women of all age groups in 2023.
Related
The agency urged regular condom use and “open and honest communication” with sexual partners and said sexually active people should regularly get tested for STIs because infected people do not always have symptoms.
“Early detection and treatment are essential to prevent further transmission and potential complications,” the ECDC said.
