The number of cases of bacterial sexually transmitted infections has surged across Europe, the EU’s health agency said. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), based in Solna, Sweden, reported that the recorded cases of gonorrhea and syphilis in 2024 reached their highest levels in more than a decade.
Gay and bisexual men particularly affected
According to the ECDC, men who have sex with men remain by far the most affected group when it comes to these infections—especially for gonorrhea and syphilis. Syphilis is also increasingly observed among heterosexuals, notably among women of reproductive age. As a result, there has been nearly a doubling in mother-to-child transmission of syphilis—from 78 cases in 2023 to 140 cases in 2024 across the 14 countries that reported data.
Overall, the ECDC notes that 2024 saw 106,331 cases of gonorrhea, the bacterial infection commonly known as gonorrhea or the clap, marking a 303 percent increase since 2015. The number of syphilis cases rose to 45,577, more than doubling over the same period. Chlamydia remained the most frequently reported sexually transmitted infection in the EU, with 213,443 cases.
“Use condoms”
Bruno Ciancio of the ECDC said in a statement that untreated infections can lead to serious complications, including chronic pain and infertility, and in the case of syphilis, cardiovascular or neurological problems. He noted that protecting one’s sexual health is relatively simple: “Use condoms with new or multiple partners and get tested if you experience symptoms such as pain, discharge, or sores.”
Last year, the Robert Koch Institute also reported a rise in syphilis infections in Germany (TheColu.mn covered). Berlin was the hardest hit. In gay communities, it is repeatedly emphasized that while PrEP reliably protects against HIV infection, it does not directly guard against gonorrhea, syphilis, and other sexually transmitted infections.
