ECDC Warns of Record-High STI Levels Across Europe
New data reveals gonorrhoea cases have spiked 303% since 2015 as health officials call for urgent improvements in testing and prevention.
Primary source: BBC World News. Full source links, newsroom standards, and correction details are below.
Fast summary
Start here
- Gonorrhoea infections in Europe reached 106,331 in 2024, a record high and a 303% increase since 2015.
- Syphilis cases more than doubled over the same period, with congenital syphilis cases nearly doubling between 2023 and 2024.
- Spain recorded the highest volume of cases among participating countries, reporting over 37,000 gonorrhoea diagnoses.
What happened
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) released data confirming that gonorrhoea and syphilis reached their highest levels in more than a decade during 2024. The agency identified 'widening gaps in testing and prevention' as primary drivers for the surge in transmission across the continent.
What's new in this update
Official figures show gonorrhoea cases hitting 106,331, a massive jump from 2015 levels. Syphilis infections also surged to 45,557 cases. Notably, congenital syphilis—where the infection is passed from mother to newborn—nearly doubled within a single year, posing severe risks for lifelong infant health complications.
Key details
Spain emerged as the country with the highest burden of confirmed cases, reporting 37,169 gonorrhoea and 11,556 syphilis cases in 2024. While chlamydia remains the most common bacterial infection in the region with 213,443 diagnoses, it was the only major STI to see a decline, falling 6% since 2015.
Background and context
The UK, which tracks data independently since Brexit, reported its own record highs with over 71,000 gonorrhoea cases in England during 2024. Untreated gonorrhoea and syphilis can lead to serious health outcomes, including heart and nervous system damage, chronic pain, and reproductive health issues.
What to watch next
Health officials are urging a return to basic prevention methods, specifically condom use and regular testing for those with multiple partners. Following a record 85,000 cases in 2023, the UK has already launched a world-first gonorrhoea vaccine rollout in 2025 to combat the rising infection rates.
Why this matters
The dramatic rise in STIs across Europe indicates significant gaps in public health prevention and risks long-term complications including infertility and chronic pain.
Reader context
This story belongs to Northstar Herald's International Relations coverage, with related entities including Public Health, Sexual Health, ECDC, Europe. The report is based on BBC World News source material.
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Why it matters
The dramatic rise in STIs across Europe indicates significant gaps in public health prevention and risks long-term complications including infertility and chronic pain.
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