Gonorrhea and syphilis cases have reached record levels in Europe.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) warns that insufficient access to testing and prevention is contributing to the rapid spread of sexually transmitted infections and calls for urgent measures.
In 2024, the European countries participating in the report reported 106,331 cases of gonorrhea, 303% more than in 2015. At the same time, the number of syphilis cases has doubled compared to a decade ago, reaching 45,557, as reported by BBC.
ECDC: Untreated infections can cause infertility and neurological problems
"These infections can cause severe complications, such as chronic pain and infertility, and in the case of syphilis, heart or nervous system problems," warned Bruno Ciancio, head of the unit for communicable and vaccine-preventable diseases at ECDC.
The European official also highlighted the increase in cases of congenital syphilis, where the infection is transmitted from mother to newborn. According to ECDC, in just one year, the number of these cases nearly doubled between 2023 and 2024.
"Protecting sexual health remains simple. Use condoms with new or multiple partners and get tested if you have symptoms," Ciancio emphasized.
Spain, the most reported cases
In 2024, Spain recorded the highest number of confirmed cases of both gonorrhea and syphilis among the countries included in the report: 37,169 cases of gonorrhea and 11,556 of syphilis.
According to ECDC, men who have sex with men remain the most affected category, with the largest long-term increases in both diseases.
At the same time, the European agency notes a significant increase in syphilis cases among heterosexual women of reproductive age.
Although cases of gonorrhea and syphilis have increased significantly, chlamydia remains the most commonly reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection in Europe. However, the number of cases has decreased by 6% since 2015, to 213,443.
What Are the Symptoms of Gonorrhea and Syphilis
Gonorrhea can cause pain, unusual discharge, and inflammation of the genital organs, but in some cases, the infection may be asymptomatic.
Syphilis can cause sores in the genital area and mouth, skin rashes, hair loss, and flu-like symptoms. Doctors warn that symptoms can be hard to notice at the beginning and may temporarily disappear.
Both diseases can be prevented by using condoms and treated with antibiotics, but if left untreated, they can lead to serious complications.