Bacterial sexually transmitted infections reached record levels in Europe in 2024, according to new data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. The increase is mainly attributed to a sharp rise in gonorrhoea and syphilis cases, as well as ongoing gaps in testing, prevention and access to healthcare services.
The latest annual epidemiological data from the ECDC show that reported cases of gonorrhoea, syphilis and congenital syphilis reached their highest levels in the past decade, indicating continued transmission across many European countries.
Specifically, gonorrhoea cases reached 106,331, representing a 303% increase compared with 2015. Syphilis cases more than doubled over the same period, reaching 45,577. Chlamydia remains the most commonly reported sexually transmitted infection, with 213,443 cases, while lymphogranuloma venereum recorded 3,490 cases.
Particular concern is raised by the increase in congenital syphilis, referring to transmission from mother to newborn. According to the ECDC, cases almost doubled within one year, from 78 in 2023 to 140 in 2024, based on data from 14 countries. This trend is linked to rising syphilis rates in heterosexual populations and particularly among women of reproductive age.
Bruno Ciancio, head of the ECDC unit for sexually transmitted infections, warned that these diseases have been rising for a decade and reached record levels in 2024. If left untreated, they can lead to serious complications, including chronic pain, infertility and, in the case of syphilis, damage to the heart or nervous system.
Men who have sex with men remain disproportionately affected, particularly in long-term trends related to gonorrhoea and syphilis. However, the ECDC notes that the rise of syphilis among heterosexual populations, especially among women of reproductive age, creates additional public health risks.
The Centre also highlights significant barriers in several countries when it comes to prevention and testing. In 13 out of 29 countries reporting data, basic testing services still involve out-of-pocket costs for patients. At the same time, uneven service provision, weak surveillance and outdated national strategies limit the effectiveness of responses.
The ECDC is calling on countries to strengthen prenatal screening so that syphilis can be diagnosed and treated early, in order to prevent transmission to the foetus during pregnancy.
It also emphasises that protecting sexual health depends on simple but essential measures, including condom use with new or multiple partners, testing when symptoms appear and immediate treatment when an infection is diagnosed.
In January 2026, the ECDC issued specific guidance on the use of doxycycline as post-exposure prophylaxis, known as doxy-PEP, for individuals at higher risk. However, it does not recommend widespread use for gonorrhoea because of high levels of antimicrobial resistance and the risk of further accelerating antibiotic resistance.
The ECDC’s message is clear. Without immediate action, the upward trend in sexually transmitted infections is likely to continue, placing greater strain on public health systems and widening inequalities in access to prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Source: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
