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 report, there has been a concerning and distinctive wave in fungal infections, especially syphilis, chlamydia, 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. Nevertheless, the report did not contain information on popular Germs 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 event yesterday that the numbers present a striking picture that requires our immediate attention and action.
According to Euractiv, the reported statistics for syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia does not properly reflect the actual amount of these diseases. Variations in testing procedures, access to sexual health services, and reporting procedures across countries contribute to this estimate.
If not treated, sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis may cause serious complications such as severe pain and fertility, as outlined in the document.
STI levels in the EU/EEA have been increasing for several years. But, the COVID- 19 crisis from 2020 to 2021 briefly halted this pattern as governments implemented social distancing measures, which required individuals to keep house and refrain from interacting with others.
The ECDC has identified an continuing increase in risky sexual exercise, improved security, and a rise in house tests as the factors responsible for the steady increase.
The EU organization noted that there has been a surge in infections among younger homosexual people, especially young women, in the most current information. This raise may be linked to changes in sexual conduct after the crisis.
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.
SOURCE: Biologically Transmitted Infections on’ Troubling’ Fall in Europe BY: eTurboNews | eTN
