
A series of reports released today by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) show sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Europe continued their upward trajectory in 2023.
The data from the latest ECDC annual epidemiologic reports on STIs show the notification rate for confirmed gonorrhea cases in European Union/European Economic Area countries rose by 31% in 2023 compared with 2022 and has risen by 321% since 2014. The increase was observed across different age groups and demographics but was steepest in women aged 20 to 24 (46%). Men who have sex with men (MSM) accounted for 58% of gonorrhea cases.
The rate of syphilis cases rose 13% from 2022 and has doubled since 2014, with the highest rates seen in men aged 25 to 34 and 72% of cases reported in MSM. The increase in the rate of chlamydia infections slowed to 3% in 2023 after reaching record high notification rates in 2022, but is still up 13% since 2014.
ECDC officials say that while increased STI testing could account for some of the increases, less condom use and higher numbers of sexual partners could also be to blame.
"ECDC emphasises the importance of proactive measures to address the rising STI rates," the agency said in a news release. "Using condoms consistently for vaginal, anal and oral sex is crucial for prevention. Open and honest communication about sexual health with partners can also help reduce the risk of STI transmission."
Continued emergence of drug-resistant gonorrhea
The report also notes the continued emergence of drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea. While resistance to the first-line antibiotic ceftriaxone is rare, 25.2% of isolates analyzed by the European Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Program in 2022 were resistant to azithromycin, which is frequently used in combination with ceftriaxone. In addition, one multidrug-resistant and one extensively drug-resistant gonorrhea isolate were detected in Germany and Austria, respectively.
"The emergence of drug-resistant strains threatens the effectiveness of current treatments, making it crucial to emphasise prevention and promote responsible antibiotic use," the agency said.