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Rising STI rates in Europe

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2026-09-04 14:15 UTC → 2026-09-05 15:48 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) indicates a sharp rise in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) across Europe following a decline during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gonorrhea cases reached approximately 100,000 in 2024, more than triple the 2015 figures, while syphilis cases have doubled to roughly 46,000. Stela Bivol of the World Health Organization's regional office for Europe stated the increase reflects a “real rise in transmission” rather than just improved diagnostics, potentially driven by decreased condom use. Regional reports continue to show high infection rates. In Poland, medical professionals have reported record levels of STIs, including syphilis and HIV. In Szczecin, diagnostic centers have identified dozens of new cases, many previously unknown to patients. Experts emphasize the necessity of free, anonymous testing for HIV, Hepatitis C, and syphilis to curb the spread, particularly as congenital syphilis cases increase. In Germany, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and ECDC report rising levels of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. ~~2024 data for Germany showed 9,519 reported syphilis cases, a 3.9 percent increase from the previous year. While incidence varies by region, urban centers like Leipzig report higher concentrations.~~ In Bavaria, although 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 warned of the risks of untreated ~~syphilis, which can cause organ and brain damage,~~ syphilis and has advocated for HPV vaccinations. In Italy, the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) reported that STI cases reached nearly 8,000 in 2024, a 12 percent increase from 2023. This includes a 41.5 percent annual rise in chlamydia and a fivefold increase in gonorrhea since 2010. While HIV diagnoses in Italy remained relatively stable, officials noted a concerning rate of late diagnoses. Broadly, the ECDC highlighted that STI cases in Europe have reached their highest levels in a decade, with a particularly critical trend in congenital syphilis, which nearly doubled between 2023 and 2024.

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