LONDON, May 22, 2026 — New data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control [ECDC] show that sexually transmitted infections have reached record levels across Europe in 2024, driven by sharp rises in gonorrhoea and syphilis, as well as widening gaps in testing and prevention. Targeted action is urgently needed to prevent further spread, including among women of reproductive age.
The latest Annual Epidemiological Reports from ECDC indicate a surge in bacterial sexually transmitted infections [STIs] across Europe. In 2024, notifications of gonorrhoea and syphilis, alongside congenital syphilis, reached their highest levels in more than a decade, reflecting sustained transmission across multiple countries.
The 2024 data show that gonorrhoea cases reached 106,331, representing a 303 per cent increase since 2015. Syphilis cases more than doubled over the same period to 45,577. Chlamydia remains the most frequently reported STI, with 213,443 cases. Lymphogranuloma venereum [LGV] also continued to spread, with 3,490 reported cases.
“Sexually transmitted infections have been rising for 10 years and reached record levels in 2024. Left untreated, these infections can cause severe complications, including chronic pain and infertility and, in the case of syphilis, problems affecting the heart or nervous system. Most distressingly, between 2023 and 2024, we saw a near doubling of congenital syphilis cases, where infections are passed directly to newborns, leading to potentially lifelong complications,” said Bruno Ciancio, Head of Unit for Directly Transmitted and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases. “Protecting your sexual health remains straightforward. Use condoms with new or multiple partners, and get tested if you experience symptoms such as pain, discharge or ulcers.”
Transmission trends vary significantly across population groups. Men who have sex with men remain the most disproportionately affected group, with the steepest long-term increases in gonorrhoea and syphilis. Among heterosexual populations, syphilis is also increasing, particularly among women of reproductive age. As a result, congenital syphilis cases nearly doubled from 78 in 2023 to 140 in 2024 across the 14 countries reporting data.
These figures align with findings from ECDC’s monitoring report on congenital syphilis, which highlights missed prevention opportunities, including gaps in antenatal screening, insufficient follow-up and repeat testing, and shortcomings in treatment. The report also identified broader barriers to testing and prevention that require urgent attention. Thirteen of the 29 reporting countries still require out-of-pocket payment for basic STI tests. Uneven implementation of services and outdated national strategies continue to limit the impact of proven interventions, with many prevention strategies failing to reflect post-pandemic behavioural changes.
ECDC recommends that European countries strengthen antenatal screening protocols to ensure that syphilis is diagnosed and treated promptly and correctly according to the stage of infection, thereby preventing transmission to the foetus during pregnancy.
In January 2026, ECDC also issued specific guidance on the use of doxycycline for post-exposure prophylaxis [doxy-PEP] to support STI prevention efforts. People at higher risk of exposure should consult a doctor or healthcare provider about tailored prevention options. However, ECDC does not recommend the widespread use of doxy-PEP for gonorrhoea because of high levels of antimicrobial resistance and the risk of accelerating further resistance.
Reversing the upward trend in STI cases will require accessible prevention services, easier access to testing, faster treatment and stronger partner notification systems to help stop onward transmission. ECDC is urging public health authorities to update national STI strategies urgently and strengthen surveillance systems to better monitor the impact of prevention measures. Without decisive action, current trends are likely to continue, increasing adverse health consequences and widening inequalities in access to care.
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