Cases of bacterial sexually transmitted infections have risen sharply in Europe, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said on Thursday.

Reported cases of gonorrhoea and syphilis reached their highest levels in more than a decade in 2024, according to the European Union’s health agency, which is based in the Swedish city of Solna.

The ECDC registered 106,331 cases of gonorrhoea in 2024, an increase of 303 per cent since 2015.

The number of syphilis cases more than doubled over the same period, reaching 45,577.

Chlamydia remained the most commonly reported sexually transmitted infection, with 213,443 cases, the ECDC said.

Bruno Ciancio of the ECDC warned that untreated infections could lead to serious health problems, including chronic pain and infertility.

In the case of syphilis, complications can also affect the heart, blood vessels, and nervous system.

He said the rise in cases of syphilis passed from mother to child was particularly concerning, with reports almost doubling between 2023 and 2024.

“Protecting your sexual health remains straightforward,” Mr Ciancio said.

“Use condoms with new or multiple partners, and get tested if you have symptoms, such as pain, discharge or an ulcer,” he said.

According to the ECDC, men who have sex with men are by far the group most affected by the infections, particularly gonorrhoea and syphilis.

Syphilis is also becoming more common among heterosexual people, especially women of childbearing age.

The agency said reported cases of mother-to-child syphilis rose from 78 in 2023 to 140 in 2024 across the 14 countries that provided data. 

(dpa/NAN)