Cases of gonorrhea and syphilis skyrocketed between 2022 and 2023 in European Union/European Economic Association countries, reported the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) in its latest Annual Epidemiological Reports on sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Between 2014 and 2023, the ECDC reported a 321% increase in cases of gonorrhea, a 100% increase in syphilis, and a 13% increase in chlamydia.
The organization also noted that men who have sex with men (MSM) accounted for 58% and 72% reported cases of gonorrhea and syphilis, respectively, in 2023, as well as 20% of chlamydia cases.
“MSM are overrepresented in all three bacterial STIs, with an upsurge in cases reported among MSM with negative HIV status — potentially HIV PrEP users who undergo more frequent testing, but also reflecting…