Europe Raises Health Alert Over Antibiotic-Resistant Gonorrhea Cases

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has issued a warning about an increase in gonorrhea cases that do not respond to the antibiotic ceftriaxone. This alert coincides with the highest recorded incidence rates of the disease since epidemiological surveillance began in European Union and European Economic Area countries.

According to a recent report by the ECDC, over 106,000 confirmed gonorrhea infections were recorded in 2024, marking the largest number documented since monitoring started in Europe. This figure indicates a significant rise in the disease's spread.

The report also highlights the detection of an increasing number of Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterial strains exhibiting resistance to ceftriaxone, which is currently the primary recommended treatment. The ECDC cautioned that the continued spread of these resistant strains could reduce future treatment options.

The centre emphasized that the growing antibiotic resistance among these bacteria poses an escalating public health challenge, especially due to concerns about the dissemination of strains that are difficult to treat.

Furthermore, the report pointed out that Southeast Asian countries are among the main sources of antibiotic-resistant strains entering Europe, raising concerns among health authorities about cross-border transmission of the infection.

Italian dermatologist and venereologist Emanuele Trovatto attributed the record increase in sexually transmitted infections across Europe to a rise in sexual encounters with casual partners. He noted that the widespread use of dating applications may have contributed to this trend.

Trovatto added that changes in social and behavioral patterns, combined with inadequate adherence to prevention measures and early testing, have contributed to higher infection transmission rates in recent years.

Gonorrhea, caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria, is among the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide and can affect both men and women. Without appropriate treatment, it can lead to serious complications such as infertility, reproductive tract infections, and an increased risk of transmitting other infections.

The World Health Organization has repeatedly warned about the rising antibiotic resistance of gonorrhea bacteria, stressing that the emergence of strains less responsive to conventional treatments could make the disease more difficult to manage in the coming years.