In a troubling health development, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly gonorrhoea and syphilis, have surged to unprecedented levels across Europe, prompting urgent calls for reinvigorated testing and prevention initiatives. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported that 2024 saw the highest incidence of these diseases in over a decade.
Gonorrhoea cases soared to 106,331, marking a staggering 303% increase since 2015. Similarly, syphilis cases more than doubled in the same timeframe, reaching 45,557 confirmed infections. Health officials attribute this alarming trend to “widening gaps in testing and prevention,” emphasizing the need for immediate action to avert further public health crises.
Health Risks and Rising Concerns
Bruno Ciancio, head of the ECDC's Directly Transmitted and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases unit, warned that untreated STIs could lead to severe complications, including chronic pain and infertility. “In the case of syphilis, the risks extend to critical issues with the heart or nervous system,” he noted. Of particular concern is the near doubling of congenital syphilis cases from 2023 to 2024, where infections can be transmitted from mother to newborn, leading to potentially lifelong health repercussions.
“Protecting your sexual health remains straightforward. Use condoms with new or multiple partners, and seek testing if you exhibit any symptoms,” Ciancio advised.
Regional Disparities and Specific Groups at Risk
Spain emerged as the country with the highest number of confirmed gonorrhoea and syphilis cases, reporting 37,169 and 11,556 respectively in 2024. The ECDC highlighted that men who have sex with men continue to be the most disproportionately affected demographic, reflecting steep long-term increases in both infections. Alarmingly, heterosexual women of reproductive age have also reported significant upticks in syphilis cases.
While chlamydia remains the most commonly reported bacterial STI in Europe, its cases have seen a 6% decline since 2015, totaling 213,443 diagnoses. Notably, the UK has not contributed to the ECDC's data since Brexit, but national statistics reveal that England recorded 71,802 gonorrhoea cases and 9,535 syphilis cases in 2024, alongside 168,889 instances of chlamydia. The UK government initiated a gonorrhoea vaccine rollout in 2025 following a record number of cases in previous years.
Awareness, Symptoms, and Prevention
Symptoms of gonorrhoea include painful urination, unusual discharge, and genital inflammation, though some individuals may remain asymptomatic. The NHS underscores the importance of proper condom use and vaccination as effective preventative measures. Symptoms of syphilis can appear variably, including sores around the genitals and mouth, skin rashes, and flu-like symptoms. Left untreated, both infections can lead to serious health complications.
The rise of gonorrhoea and syphilis in Europe poses a formidable challenge to public health systems, underscoring the need for comprehensive prevention, enhanced awareness, and accessible testing services to mitigate further health risks.
Source: BBC Health
