According to new data released by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on Thursday, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have reached record levels across Europe in 2024.
The latest epidemiological reports indicate a significant increase in bacterial STIs across the continent. Specifically, reported cases of gonorrhea and syphilis, including congenital syphilis, reached their highest levels in over a decade. The number of gonorrhea cases hit 106,331, marking a dramatic rise of 303 percent since 2015. Syphilis cases doubled during the same period, reaching 45,577. The most frequently reported infection overall remained chlamydia, with 213,443 cases recorded. Furthermore, continuous transmission was observed with cases of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), totaling 3,490.
While the overall trend is alarming, the increase varied significantly among different populations. Men who have sex with men were the hardest hit group, showing the steepest long-term increases in both gonorrhea and syphilis. Among heterosexual populations, syphilis saw a particular increase among women of reproductive age, leading to a near doubling of congenital syphilis cases-from 78 in 2023 to 140 in 2024.
The ECDC expressed concern, pointing out gaps in current testing and prevention efforts. They stressed the urgent need for targeted measures to curb further spread of infections, particularly among women of reproductive age. For expectant mothers, the ECDC advises improving prenatal screening to ensure early diagnosis and treatment of syphilis, thereby preventing transmission to the fetus.
