Germany undergoes surge in Syphilis cases
(MENAFN) Germany has recorded a surge in syphilis infections, with the number of cases reaching 9,519 in 2024, up sharply from just 1,697 at the start of the 2000s, according to recent reports.
The sexually transmitted disease, caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, has seen a steady increase over the past two decades. After rising to 3,364 cases in 2004, infections have continued to climb, particularly among homosexual men.
The latest epidemiological bulletin, released on Thursday, reported a 3.9% increase compared with 2023. Members of the LGBTQ community accounted for the majority of infections, while women represented only 7.6% of cases. The proportion of heterosexual transmission also rose slightly from the previous year.
The average age of those infected was around 41, with reinfections remaining a significant concern. Reports indicate that the highest rates were recorded in major urban areas, including Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Frankfurt, and Munich.
Outbreaks among gay men have been a major driver of the overall increase since the late 1990s, with the first notable surge reported in Hamburg in 1997. By 2003, infection rates among men were ten times higher than among women.
Currently, approximately three-quarters of reported cases are linked to the LGBTQ community, with data suggesting that up to half of these individuals are also HIV-positive, frequently accompanied by Hepatitis C co-infections.
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