Gonorrhoea and syphilis have reached unprecedented levels across Europe, according to newly released figures.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has reported that both infections recorded their highest case numbers in more than a decade in 2024.
Cases of gonorrhoea climbed to 106,331, representing a 303% rise since 2015, while syphilis infections more than doubled over the same period, reaching 45,557 cases.
The agency said the increase was partly linked to growing shortcomings in testing and prevention efforts, and warned that immediate action was needed.
Both of these infections can lead to major health complications, including infertility, chronic pain. Syphilis specifically can cause damage to the heart and nervous system.
Also, cases of congenital syphilis have nearly doubled between 2023 and 2024.
This can cause lifelong medical issues for newborns.
Among European countries included in the data, Spain recorded the largest number of confirmed cases in 2024, with 37,169 gonorrhoea infections and 11,556 syphilis cases.
The ECDC added that men who have sex with men continue to be the group most heavily affected, experiencing the steepest long-term increases in both diseases.
However, syphilis infections have also risen significantly among heterosexual women of reproductive age.
Although chlamydia remained the most frequently reported bacterial STI overall, the number of cases fell by 6% since 2015, reaching 213,443 in 2024.
Britain introduced a gonorrhoea vaccination programme in 2025 after infections in England reached a record 85,000 cases in 2023.
Symptoms of gonorrhoea can include genital pain, inflammation, and unusual discharge, though some people may experience no symptoms at all.
Syphilis may initially present through sores around the mouth or genitals, rashes on the hands, hair loss, and flu-like symptoms, though the signs can be subtle and may disappear and return over time. Like gonorrhoea, it can usually be treated with antibiotics and prevented through condom use, but both infections can lead to serious health consequences if left untreated.
Protecting sexual health remains relatively simple: condom use with new or multiple partners is encouraged, and immediate testing should take place if symptoms appear.
