A HIDDEN epidemic is spreading silently through Europe – with cases of a nightmarish STI surging by 300 per cent.
Cases of gonorrhoea shot up in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men between 2014 and 2013, a grim report by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) showed.
They increased significantly in women too, rocketing by 200 per cent in 20 to 24-year-olds in the two years between 2021 and 2023.
It follows warnings of an increase in antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea cases in England – with health authorities warning the ‘superbug’ may become “untreatable in the future“.
Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacteria.
It can cause symptoms such as burning pain and discharge, which tend to appear two weeks after having sex with an infected person.
While the STI is not a killer, it can cause long-term health problems if not treated such as pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and ectopic pregnancies.
Health authorities have sounded the alarm in recent years over alarming surges in STIs – from gonorrhoea, to chlamydia and syphilis.
In its new report – which covered 29 countries – the ECDC said STIs are continuing to surge across the European Union and European Economic Area.
“Though most countries have strategies in place, significant barriers to preventative measures and testing, and a lack of data are hindering efforts to curb the epidemics of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis,” the health watchdog wrote.
It said there have recently been “considerable increases in the number of notified cases of bacterial STIs reported among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, as well as heterosexual men and women”.
Between 2014 and 2023, reports of gonorrhoea shot up by 300 per cent in this group.
Meanwhile, syphilis infections increased by 90 per cent and chlamydia by 180 per cent.
Syphilis is a serious STI that can cause potentially life-threatening problems if left untreated – though initial symptoms can be “hard to notice” and “may come and go”.
There’s been a “concerning” rise in cases in England – with 9,535 diagnoses of early-stage syphilis made in 2024, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed STI in England, according to UKHSA, with most cases occurring in young people.
Gonorrhoea cases also rose in straight men and women in Europe, according to the ECDC.
“The largest increase has been observed in young women, where notification rates of gonorrhoea increased by almost 200 per cent between 2021 and 2023 among those aged 20−24 years,” it wrote.
“The reasons behind these increases are unclear,” the health watchdog went on.
“Changes in behaviour” and “increased testing in some groups” were possible factors, but the ECDC noted that data on this was “very limited”.
Stay safe from gonorrhea
Gonorrhea, often called “the clap,” might not always show obvious signs, but it’s important to stay vigilant.
Here’s how you can keep yourself safe and spot the symptoms early:
Symptoms to Watch For:
- In Women: Unusual vaginal discharge, pain during urination, bleeding between periods, or pelvic pain
- In Men: Discharge from the penis, pain while urinating, or swollen testicles
- In Both Genders: Sore throat (if contracted through oral sex), or rectal discomfort and discharge (if contracted through anal sex)
Prevention Tips:
- Use Condoms: They’re your best bet for protection against gonorrhea and other STIs
- Get Tested Regularly: Especially if you’re sexually active or have multiple partners
- Communicate with Partners: Talk openly about sexual health and STI status
- Limit Partners: Reducing the number of sexual partners can lower your risk
- Seek Treatment Promptly: If you notice any symptoms or think you’ve been exposed, get tested and treated quickly
It said the “threat” of antibiotic-resistant ‘super gonorrhoea’ is “also of concern”.
The health watchdog wrote: “Rates of resistance to azithromycin – a commonly used firstline antibiotic together with ceftriaxone – is increasing.
“Cases resistant to ceftriaxone are still rare, but systems are needed to identify these early to prevent further transmission.”
It said “several outbreaks of ‘novel’ STIs” have also been recorded in recent years among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.
These include the clade 2 mpox outbreak, which peaked in 2022 – though “sporadic transmission [is] still being reported each month” – as well cases of more severe clade 1 mpox.
“Extensively drug resistant Shigella infection is also spreading among gbMSM,” the ECDC added.
The health watchdog called for countries to update their national strategies, remove barriers to testing, and strengthen surveillance data on STIs in order to “effectively curb these epidemics”.
It noted that strategies for STI prevention were “ageing” in many nations.
“Only 10 countries have updated their national STI plans within the past five years, meaning many strategies may not account for post-pandemic behavioural changes or the latest epidemiological trends,” the ECDC said.
“The lack of updated strategies is compounded by significant hurdles for those seeking care.”
And in 13 of the 29 countries included in the report, people still need to pay out of pocket for STI tests.
