Bulgaria sees 30‑40% rise in syphilis and gonorrhea cases, warns Iva Hristova

The National Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases reported a sharp increase in sexually transmitted infections in Bulgaria. Cases of syphilis are up 30‑40% compared with last year, while diagnosed gonorrhea cases have tripled. Director Prof. Iva Hristova warned that the trend has been observed for years and emphasized the need for better health information, safe‑sex practices and attention to drug‑related risk factors.

She also noted the detection of West Nile fever in neighboring North Macedonia, a mosquito‑borne virus that circulates first in wild birds. The transmission season runs from June to September; about 80% of infections are asymptomatic, roughly 20% present flu‑like symptoms, and less than 1% develop severe neuro‑invasive disease such as meningitis or encephalitis. No confirmed case has been reported in Bulgaria, but physicians are urged to consider it in viral meningitis, encephalitis and flu‑like illnesses after mosquito bites.

Additionally, 222 cases of Lyme disease have been recorded in Bulgaria, a number similar to a year earlier but likely under‑reported. Early skin lesions are painless and may be mis‑identified, yet the disease is fully treatable with antibiotics when diagnosed promptly.