Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including syphilis, are on the rise across most regions of the world, according to a new report released by the World Health Organization (WHO. The report underscores the growing public health challenge posed by STIs, HIV, and viral hepatitis, which collectively cause 2.5 million deaths annually.
Alarming Increase in Syphilis Cases
The report reveals a disturbing trend: new syphilis cases among adults aged 15-49 surged by over one million in 2022, reaching a total of eight million. Additionally, there were 230,000 syphilis-related deaths. The Americas and Africa witnessed the highest increases in syphilis cases.
HEALTH TARGETS AT RISK
The rising incidence of syphilis, coupled with insufficient progress in reducing new HIV and viral hepatitis infections, threatens to derail health targets set as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed serious concerns about the escalating rates of syphilis, although he noted progress in expanding access to critical health commodities, including diagnostics and treatments.
MULTI-RESISTANT GONORRHEA AND OTHER STIS
Syphilis is one of four curable STIs, along with gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis. The COVID-19 pandemic saw a surge in both adult and maternal syphilis cases, with 1.1 million new infections and associated congenital syphilis cases reaching 523 per 100,000 live births per year.
RISING GONORRHEA RESISTANCE
New data indicate an increase in multi-resistant gonorrhea. Out of 87 countries with enhanced gonorrhea antimicrobial resistance surveillance in 2023, nine reported elevated levels of resistance to ceftriaxone, the last line of treatment. WHO has updated its treatment recommendations to address this growing threat.
HEPATITIS AND HIV CONCERNS
The report also highlights the continued global challenge of hepatitis and HIV. In 2022, there were roughly 1.2 million new hepatitis B cases and nearly one million new hepatitis C cases. Despite effective prevention, diagnosis, and treatment tools, the estimated number of deaths from viral hepatitis rose from 1.1 million in 2019 to 1.3 million in 2022.
STAGNANT HIV PROGRESS
Progress in reducing new HIV infections has been slow, with a decline from 1.5 million in 2020 to 1.3 million in 2022. Key populations, including men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, sex workers, transgender individuals, and those in prisons, continue to experience significantly higher HIV prevalence rates compared to the general population. HIV-related deaths remain high, with 630,000 deaths in 2022, 13% of which were among children aged 15 and younger.
SILVER LINING: GAINS IN STI, HIV, AND HEPATITIS SERVICES
Despite the troubling trends, the report also highlights significant gains in expanding services for STIs, HIV, and hepatitis. WHO has validated 19 countries for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and/or syphilis, reflecting substantial investments in testing and treatment for these diseases among pregnant women. Namibia is poised to become the first country to be evaluated for the triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis.
The WHO’s latest report underscores the urgent need for intensified global efforts to combat the rise of STIs, HIV, and viral hepatitis. While progress has been made in some areas, the increasing rates of syphilis and multi-resistant gonorrhea, alongside stagnant progress in reducing new HIV infections, pose significant threats to global health targets. Comprehensive strategies, increased investment in research, and targeted interventions are crucial to reversing these alarming trends and ensuring progress towards sustainable health goals.
