Reports citing BBC and data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) show a significant rise in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) across parts of Europe, with gonorrhoea and syphilis reaching their highest levels in over a decade.
According to the data, gonorrhoea cases across participating European countries rose to 106,331, marking a 303% increase compared to 2015. Syphilis cases have also more than doubled over the same period, reaching 45,557.
Health experts say the increase is partly driven by gaps in testing, prevention, and awareness. Both infections can lead to serious long-term health complications if left untreated, including infertility, chronic pain, and neurological or cardiovascular damage.
The report also highlights a worrying rise in congenital syphilis, where the infection is passed from mother to newborn, with cases nearly doubling within a year. Spain recorded the highest number of cases among participating countries in 2024.
While chlamydia remains the most commonly reported bacterial STI in Europe, overall cases have slightly declined since 2015.
The United Kingdom is not included in the latest ECDC dataset due to Brexit, but figures from the UK Health Security Agency indicate continued high infection levels. In 2024, England recorded 71,802 gonorrhoea cases, 9,535 syphilis cases, and 168,889 chlamydia diagnoses. The UK also introduced a gonorrhoea vaccination programme in 2025 following record-high infection rates.
Health authorities continue to emphasize prevention measures, including condom use, regular testing, and vaccination where available.
