The European Union (EU) agency has issued a warning about a concerning increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Europe.

The 2022 findings for the member states of the European Union and the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) were revealed in the Annual Epidemiological Report published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on Thursday.

As per the document, there has been a concerning and notable surge in bacterial infections, namely syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, throughout the EU/EEA. The number of gonorrhea cases increased by 48%, syphilis cases by 34%, and chlamydia cases by 16% compared to 2021. However, the report did not include data on viral STIs like HIV and Hepatitis.

ECDC Director Andrea Ammon suggests that addressing the issue can be achieved through measures such as promoting sexual health education, enhancing availability of testing and treatment services, and combatting the stigma surrounding sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

She stated at a press conference yesterday that the numbers present a stark picture that requires our immediate attention and action.

According to Euractiv, the reported numbers for syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia may not accurately reflect the actual extent of these infections. Variations in testing methods, access to sexual health services, and reporting practices across countries contribute to this underestimation.

If not treated, sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis can cause severe complications such as chronic pain and infertility, as highlighted in the report.

STI rates in the EU/EEA have been increasing for several years. However, the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2021 temporarily halted this trend as governments implemented social distancing measures, which required individuals to stay home and refrain from interacting with others.

The ECDC has identified an ongoing increase in risky sexual activity, improved surveillance, and a rise in home testing as the factors responsible for the continuous rise.

The EU agency noted that there has been a rise in infections among young heterosexual individuals, especially young women, in the most recent data. This increase may be linked to changes in sexual behavior after the pandemic.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Europe experienced a record-breaking increase in reported cases of bacterial STIs in 2019, prior to the pandemic.