Record rates of sexually transmitted diseases have been recorded in Europe

The number of sexually transmitted infections is rapidly increasing in Europe, and infection rates with syphilis and gonorrhea broke a record in 2024. This was reported by the Politico newspaper on May 21, citing data from the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

The Center reported more than 106 thousand cases of gonorrhea in Europe in 2024, which is 4.3% more than in 2023 and more than 300% more than in 2014. This is the highest recorded rate since the ECDC began tracking sexually transmitted infections in 2009.

In addition, about 46,000 cases of syphilis were reported in 2024, which is 8% more than in 2023 and more than double the figure in 2015. The publication notes that Europe is trying to control sexually transmitted infections, but the number of infections has only increased over the past 10 years.

This is partly due to improved testing methods and epidemiological surveillance, as well as changes in sexual behavior when young people, putting themselves and their partner at risk, do not use condoms. In addition, the ECDC noted an increase in cases of congenital syphilis, when the infection is transmitted from mother to newborn.

The number of such cases has almost doubled compared to 2023, from 78 to 140. Experts consider these data to be the "most alarming" results of 2024.

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Before that, on May 8, it became known about the increase in the number of HIV patients in Poland due to refugees. It was clarified that in 2025 alone, about 2.7 thousand HIV cases were detected in the country, and the incidence tripled from 2.43 to 7.37 per 100,000 inhabitants. In 2026, the trend continues: by the end of April, 791 new patients were registered, compared to 734 patients in the same period a year earlier.