European public health agencies report that cases of gonorrhea and syphilis have surged to their highest levels in over 10 years, with Spain having the highest number.
Foreign news agencies reported on 21 May 2026 that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Europe are increasing, particularly gonorrhea and syphilis, with infection numbers reaching the highest point in more than a decade.
Data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) indicates that in 2024, Europe recorded 106,331 gonorrhea cases, a 303% increase since 2015, while syphilis cases more than doubled over the same period, totaling 45,557.
The ECDC stated that widening gaps in testing and prevention partly explain the rapid spread and urged urgent action to address the issue.
Bruno Ciancio, head of the ECDC's unit for direct communicable and vaccine-preventable diseases, said, "These infections can cause severe complications such as chronic pain and infertility, and syphilis can also affect the heart and nervous system."
He also noted that congenital syphilis cases—where the infection is transmitted directly from mother to newborn, potentially causing lifelong complications—nearly doubled from 2023 to 2024.
"Protecting your sexual health remains simple: use condoms with new or multiple partners and get tested if you experience symptoms," Bruno Ciancio added.
Among European countries reporting data in 2024, Spain recorded the highest confirmed cases of gonorrhea and syphilis, with 37,169 and 11,556 cases respectively.
The ECDC highlighted that men who have sex with men remain disproportionately affected, showing the greatest long-term increases in gonorrhea and syphilis, while heterosexual women of reproductive age also saw significant rises in syphilis infections.
Although chlamydia remains the most reported bacterial STI overall, its cases decreased by 6% since 2015, falling to 213,443.
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Source:BBC