ARCHIVAL PHOTO: Historical casts depicting various types of syphilis are exhibited at the Museum of the past of medicine in Hamburg, Germany © Daniel Bockwoldt / dpa via Getty Images
The number of syphilic infections in Germany reached a fresh record, reaching 9519 cases in 2024 compared to only 1697 at the turn of the century, according to the latest study of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).
The incidence of this sexually transmitted disease, caused by Treponema pallidum, has steadily increased over the past 2 decades.After 3364 cases were reached in 2004, this figure continues to increase, especially among homosexual men.The latest Epidemic Bulletin, published on Thursday, saw another 3.9% increase year-on-year compared to 2023.
LGBTQ individuals accounted for the vast majority of infections, while women accounted for only 7.6% of cases.
The proportion of heterosexual infections besides somewhat increased compared to the erstwhile year.The average age of patients was about 41 years and the hazard of reinfection inactive exists.
RKI stressed that the highest rates of infection were recorded in large urban centres specified as Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Frankfurt and Munich.The outbreaks of infections among homosexual men have mostly contributed to the overall increase in infections since the late 1990s.
The first crucial increase was recorded in Hamburg in 1997.
By 2003, the collapse among men was 10 times higher than among women.Currently around three-quarters of reported cases are associated with the LGBTQ community, and data propose that even half of these patients are besides HIV positive, frequently with hepatitis C virus co-infection.
The spread of sexually transmitted infections is linked to the usage of social media and geospatial dating applications, leading to an increase in sexual partners – including fresh and anonymous contacts.
Translated by Google Translator
source:https://www.rt.com/news/625424-syphilis-infections-surge-germany/
