Gay and bisexual men warned as cases of syphilis hit highest levels since 1940s
Men are being warned after new cases of syphilis hit their highest rates in almost 70 years.
The sexually transmitted infection is at its highest number of cases since 1949, according to data from Public Health England (PHE).
In 2016 there were 5,920 syphilis diagnoses, a 12% increase on the previous yearās figure (5,281).
The number marks an incredible 97% rise since 2012 (3,001).
Experts say most cases were transmitted by gay and bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men.
Dr Michael Brady, the medical director for the Terrence Higgins Trust, a sexual health charity, said: āTodayās figures show unacceptably high rates of STIs.
āWeāre facing huge challenges, such as the continued rise of syphilis and ongoing concerns around drug-resistant gonorrhoea, and we urgently need to address the nationās poor sexual health and rates of STIs in those most at risk.
āIn this climate of cuts to local authoritiesā public health budgets, this is particularly concerning.
āNow is not the time to be scaling back sexual health services.
āCuts to chlamydia testing, for example, are having a visible impact, with todayās figures showing that there has been a 9% decrease in the number of chlamydia tests taken.
āIt is also now essential that Public Health England, the Department of Health and local authorities ensure improved access to effective STI and HIV testing, treatment and prevention services. Otherwise, we cannot expect to address the ongoing sexual health crisis.ā
There is some positive news about sexually transmitted infections, though.
In the same time frame new infections of HIV in men who have sex with men have fallen by a third.
It is believed this is mainly due to the significantly increased use of PrEP.
Dr Patrick French, CNWL Consultant in Sexual Health and HIV, said: āThere is some room for optimism in todayās release of the 2016 Sexually Transmitted Infection and HIV figures from Public Health England.
āThe dramatic reduction in the number of new HIV infections among gay men shows that HIV testing, HIV treatment and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis are paying dividends and the reduction in genital warts in heterosexual women and men indicate that HPV vaccination for girls in the UK is working well.ā
