Rising rates of sexually transmitted infections across Europe

In a series of reports released by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), a concerning rise in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) across Europe has been revealed indicating troubling trends and significant public health implications.

The latest ECDC reports on chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) highlight a sharp increase in reported cases of these STIs across 27 European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries, and collectively reveal a dynamic and challenging landscape. This rise in numbers is similar to the increase in syphilis cases previously reported by ECDC and illustrates a decade-long trend of growing STI rates across Europe despite a dip in numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic, likely due to changes in access to testing and reduced social mixing.

The escalating numbers of reported STIs pose a significant public health challenge. ECDC recommends the following actions:

Urgent Strengthening of Prevention Activities: Enhanced prevention activities are crucial, focusing on increased testing, targeted messaging, and tailored interventions for specific risk groups. Social media and dating apps should be considered for prevention campaigns, in addition to traditional approaches.

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