The World Health Organisation has confirmed that Europe is experiencing its highest ever rates of sexually transmitted infections, with gonorrhoea and syphilis cases surging to record levels. The data, released today, reveal a sharp increase across the continent, with the United Kingdom’s National Health Service facing an unprecedented strain on its sexual health services. According to the WHO’s most recent surveillance report, gonorrhoea cases in the European region rose by 34% between 2020 and 2022, while syphilis diagnoses increased by 38% over the same period.
The UK is among the worst affected countries, with Public Health England reporting a 50% rise in gonorrhoea infections since 2018 and syphilis cases doubling in the past decade. Experts attribute the surge to a combination of factors, including reduced condom use, increased casual sex, and cuts to public health funding. The NHS has warned that sexual health clinics are ‘stretched to breaking point’, with waiting times for appointments in some areas exceeding four weeks.
This delay in treatment risks further transmission and the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of gonorrhoea, which the WHO has identified as a critical global health threat. The British government has announced an additional £3.8m in emergency funding for sexual health services, but campaigners argue that this is insufficient.
‘Years of underinvestment have left clinics unable to meet demand,’ said Dr. Jane Wilson, a consultant in sexual health at a London NHS trust. ‘We are seeing patients who have been living with undiagnosed infections for months, leading to complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.
’ The crisis has also reignited debate over funding for public health campaigns. The UK’s ‘C-Card’ scheme, which provides free condoms to young people, has been cut in many areas, and school-based sex education has been criticised as outdated. Meanwhile, the WHO has called for a coordinated European response, including increased surveillance, better access to testing, and renewed efforts to combat stigma.
‘The current trajectory is unsustainable,’ said Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. ‘Without immediate action, we risk losing the gains made in the fight against STIs over the past two decades.
’ The report comes as the NHS prepares for its busiest winter on record, with sexual health services competing for resources with ongoing pressures from COVID-19, flu, and the cost-of-living crisis. Analysis suggests that without significant investment, waiting times will continue to rise, and the epidemic will intensify.
