STIs reach record levels across Europe, with gonorrhoea seeing 303% increase

The latest report indicates a surge of STIs across multiple countries, and provides the first "comprehensive overview" of how European countries are tackling the diseases

Chlamydia was the most frequently reported STI, with 213,443 cases in Europe. Picture: iStock

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)reached record levels across Europe in 2024, with the latest figures showing a steep increase in both gonorrhoea and syphilis. 

New figures from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) showed that gonorrhoea cases reached 106,331 for that year, a 303% increase since 2015. 

The latest Annual Epidemiological report indicate a surge of STIs across multiple countries, and provide the first "comprehensive overview" of how European countries are tackling the diseases. 

Syphilis doubled over the same period to 45,577 cases. Chlamydia was the most frequently reported STI, with 213,443 cases in Europe. Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) also continued to see ongoing transmission, with 3,490 reported cases.

The transmission trends varied significantly across different population groups, according to the report. 

Men who have had sex with men remain "the most disproportionately affected group". This group was found to have the highest long-term increases in gonorrhoea and syphilis. 

Among heterosexual couples, syphilis was dominant, particularly among reproductive age, with the consequences seeing "a near doubling of congenital syphilis cases from 78 in 2023 to 140 in 2024 across 14 countries reporting data".

Congenital syphilis occurs when the infection is passed directly to newborns, leading to potentially lifelong complications. 

The report stated that these figures were in line with the ECDC's monitoring report on congenital syphilis, which highlights missed prevention opportunities, such as gaps in antenatal screening, lack of follow-up and repeat testing, and treatment. 

It also identified broader hurdles to testing and prevention that require action. 

Thirteen of 29 reporting countries still charge out-of-pocket costs for basic STI tests, the ECDC said. 

"Uneven implementation of services and outdated national strategies limit the impact of proven interventions, as many national prevention strategies fail to account for post-pandemic behavioural changes," they added. 

The ECDC recommended that European countries improve antenatal screening protocols to ensure that syphilis is diagnosed and treated promptly and correctly according to the stage of infection, to prevent transmission to the foetus during pregnancy.

Head of Unit at ECDC's Directly Transmitted and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Bruno Ciancio, said it was "most distressing" to see a near doubling of congenital syphilis. 

"Sexually transmitted infections have been on the rise for 10 years and reached record high levels in 2024. Untreated, these infections can cause severe complications, such as chronic pain and infertility and, in the case of syphilis, problems with the heart or nervous system," Dr Ciancio added.