Germany reports rising levels of sexually transmitted infections

Reported cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are reaching record levels in Germany and Europe. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), infections such as syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia are on the rise.

In Germany, 2024 data shows 9,519 reported syphilis cases, a 3.9 percent increase from the previous year. While some regions like Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia report lower incidence rates, urban centers like Leipzig show significantly higher concentrations, with 28.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

In Bavaria, health officials noted that while total HIV diagnoses remained nearly unchanged in 2025, there was a 16 percent increase in new HIV diagnoses among heterosexual men. Bavarian Health Minister Judith Gerlach has issued warnings regarding the risks of untreated syphilis, which can cause organ and brain damage, and has advocated for HPV vaccinations to prevent cancer.