Syphilis cases hit highest level since 1948

The new sexually transmitted infections statistics for England also show record numbers of gonorrhoea diagnoses

This 1966 microscope photo made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a tissue sample with the presence of numerous, corkscrew-shaped, darkly-stained, Treponema pallidum spirochetes, the bacterium responsible for causing syphilis (CDC)

Cases of syphilis in England are at the highest level since 1948, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Some 9,513 cases of infectious syphilis were diagnosed last year.

While the majority of cases were diagnosed among gay and bisexual men, the UKHSA said there was a larger “proportional rise” in syphilis diagnoses among heterosexual men and women.

There were 1,958 cases diagnosed among heterosexual men and women in 2023, a 22% rise from 2022 when there were 1,608 cases.

Among gay and bisexual men cases rose by 7% to 6,527 between 2022 and 2023.

The new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) statistics for England also show record numbers of gonorrhoea diagnoses.

In 2023 there were 85,223 cases diagnosed – the highest number since records began in 1918.

Overall, figures show there were 401,800 new cases of STIs diagnosed in 2023 – a rise of 4.7% since 2022.

Health officials urged people to ‘use a condom consistently’ as new STI figures were published (PA) (PA Archive)

Chlamydia cases accounted for almost half of these, with 194,970 diagnoses in 2023.

The UKHSA said the impact of STIs remains greatest in young people aged 15 to 24 years, gay men and some minority ethnic groups.

Dr Hamish Mohammed, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “STIs can have a major impact on your health regardless of your age, gender or sexual orientation.

“The best way to reduce your risk of an infection is to use a condom consistently and correctly with new or casual partners.

“The NHS provides free, confidential STI testing to detect any potential infections and prevent you passing them on to others.”

The Local Government Association (LGA) said the figures show the next government should implement a 10-year sexual health strategy.

The association, which represents councils which have the responsibility for commissioning sexual health services, said a long-term strategy is needed to help prevent and treat infections.

David Fothergill, from the LGA, said: “Councils want to continue encouraging more people to visit their local sexual health clinic, in particular hard-to-reach communities.

“However, today’s figures show sexual health services continue to face rising demand pressures.

“This is why we are calling for a new 10-year strategy to tackle infection rates, and ensure that sexual health services are properly funded and resourced in the long term.”