One in every 1,000 people in parts of England have the sexually transmitted infection (STI) syphilis, as officials warn cases have reached the highest level since 1948.
Lambeth, in South London, was the nation’s syphilis capital with almost 138 cases per 100,000 people last year.
This is equivalent to just over one in every 1,000 people in the borough having the STI which can cause life threatening problems if left untreated.
Officials from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said a total of 9,535 syphilis cases were detected in 2024, an increase of 1.7 per cent compared to the year prior.
They added the number cases was the largest number in 76 years.
MailOnline has now created a fascinating map allowing to see how your area compares for multiple STIs in the current outbreak.
Officials also raised the alarm about a rise in drug resistant super-gonorrhoea.
While overall cases of this STI fell 16 per cent—from 85,370 in 2023 to 71,802 last year—cases of antibiotic resistant strains have recently soared.
UKKSA said a total of 14 cases of drug resistant gonorrhoea had been reported as of May this year, which is more than 13 recorded in the entirety of 2024.
Even more concerning is that six of cases recorded in 2025 are what experts call ‘extensively drug resistant’—or XDR gonorrhoea.
This strain of the infection is resistant to both ceftriaxone— the frontline antibiotic normally used to combat gonorrhoea—as well as other medications, surviving and even thriving in patients despite treatment.
Officials said the majority of cases drug resistant gonorrhoea were linked to travel to or from the Asia-Pacific region where such strains are more prevalent.
After Lambeth, other hotspots for syphilis were also London boroughs with Westminster recording 131.4 cases per 100,000 people and Southwark with 107.4.
The next highest area outside of the capital was Brighton and Hove with 49 cases per 100,000.
In contrast, the part of England was the Isles of Scilly which recorded zero syphilis cases, followed by North Lincolnshire with 2.4 cases per 100,000.
The national syphilis rate for the entirety of England was 16.5 cases per 100,000 people.
Officials from the UK Health Security Agency said a total of 9,535 syphilis cases were detected in 2024, an increase of 1.7 per cent compared to the year prior
Nationally, heterosexual men accounted for the largest jump in syphilis with cases jumping 23.8 per cent from last year to 1,380.
However, men who have sex with men still accounted for the largest portion of cases of the STI at 6,330 cases, despite this being a small drop of 1.6 per cent compared to the year prior.
Syphilis typically causes small sores to develop on or around the genitals and/or anus, and white warty growths in the same areas.
It usually takes three weeks from infection to develop symptoms from infection.
Left untreated it can cause extremely serious and life-threatening health problems, harming the function of the heart, brain, nerves and other organs.
Dr Hamish Mohammed, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, urged Britons to follow safe sex guidance and use condoms with new or casual partners.
‘These infections can have a major impact on your health and that of any sexual partners – particularly if they are antibiotic resistant,’ he said.
‘If you’ve had condomless sex with new or casual partners – either in the UK or overseas – get tested for STIs and HIV at least yearly, even if you don’t have symptoms. Regular testing protects both you and those you’re having sex with.’
Data for other STIs show rates of chlamydia fell 13 per cent to 168,889 diagnoses in 2024, while cases of genital warts also dropped.
The latest annual data on the STI rates in England comes just a few weeks after the NHS announced it was launching a world-first a vaccine for gonorrhoea.
Responding to the data, The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents councils responsible for commissioning sexual health services, warns that the system is struggling to keep pace with soaring demand for STI checks.
Cllr David Fothergill, chairman of the LGA’s community wellbeing board, said: ‘These statistics show that local sexual health services are grappling with significant increases in demand.
‘Without adequate investment, people will face growing barriers to accessing expert, timely care.’
