​​They are young, mostly female and their number is constantly growing: with nearly 344 000 notified cases in 2009 chlamydia is the most frequently reported sexually transmitted infection (STI) across Europe.

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.