The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reported a significant rise in sexually transmitted infections, with gonorrhea cases surging to an unprecedented 100,000 in 2023. This marks over four times the cases reported a decade ago. The increase is particularly pronounced among young adults, with a notable prevalence in men who have sex with men. Experts attribute the rising STI rates to declining condom usage, particularly among young people. Syphilis rates also saw a 13% increase, continuing to highlight the public health challenge posed by STIs in Europe.
"People are having sex," Maria Wessman, section head of blood-borne and sexually transmitted infections at the Statens Serum Institut in Denmark, told DW.
Almost 100,000 new cases of gonorrhea were reported a record high up from about 74,000 in 2022, more than four times the number of annual cases reported 10 years earlier.
Rates of syphilis also rose up 13% on 2022 levels to more than 40,000 reported cases, about half reported as MSM cases.
Experts emphasize that a reduction in condom use is the probable driver of bacterial STIs in Europe, particularly among young people.
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