Ceftriaxone-Resistant Gonorrhea Spreads Domestically Across Europe

Health authorities report that ceftriaxone‑resistant gonorrhea, the first‑line treatment for the infection, is now being transmitted within Europe rather than arriving solely via travel. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) identified domestic cases in 12 countries during 2025‑early 2026. Sweden recorded seven of 13 resistant infections as locally acquired, Germany reported two travel‑free cases in 2026, and Norway logged a linked pair in April 2026. The United Kingdom saw a rise from 13 cases in 2024 to 29 in 2025, while France and Britain reported defined clusters indicating onward transmission. Britain also documented six treatment failures, all eventually cured after additional antibiotic regimens. The ECDC risk assessment warns that increasing detections, evidence of domestic spread, and narrowing treatment options could lead to further escalation without enhanced surveillance and control measures.