This report outlines suggested steps to develop, implement and coordinate a national STI strategy and action plan. It includes approaches to ensure the necessary stakeholder engagement for such strategies to succeed.
In 2017, 33 189 confirmed syphilis cases were reported in 28 EU/EEA Member States. Reported syphilis rates were nine times higher in men than in women and peaked among 25–34-year-old men. Two-thirds of syphilis cases with information on transmission category were reported in men who have sex with men (MSM). The trend in syphilis rates has been on the rise since 2011, particularly among men, mainly due to an increase in the number of cases among MSM. The slight increase of syphilis rates among women, seen already in 2016, continued in 2017.
This presentation summarises the main data from the ECDC Annual epidemiological reports 2017 on chlamydia, gonorrhoea, lymphogranuloma venereum, (congenital) syphilis
Since 2010, syphilis notification rates in the EU/EAA have been on the increase, but in recent years this trend seems to accelerate, predominantly among men having sex with men. Similar trends have been observed in high-income countries outside the EU/EAA. While the overall trend remained relatively stable, outbreaks or clusters of syphilis cases have also been reported among heterosexual populations in the EU/EEA. In several high-income countries (e.g. USA, Japan), increases in congenital syphilis occurred in connection with increases in syphilis notifications among women.
The number of syphilis cases has been consistently going up across Europe since 2010, mostly affecting men who have sex with men living in urban areas. In 2017, notification rates reached an all-time high in the EU/EEA countries with more than 33 000 reported cases. An in-depth ECDC study published today describes the factors behind this increase and outlines the evidence-based options for public health control of syphilis, including case finding and management as well as educational activities.
The Carnival season will last from 1 to 9 March 2019. In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1 million participants are expected, including many travellers from Europe
In 2017, 36 congenital syphilis cases were reported in 23 EU/EEA Member States, at a crude rate of 1.1 cases per 100 000 live births. The trend for reported congenital syphilis cases has remained stable in recent years.