- In 2016, 5,920 cases of syphilis were diagnosed compared to 3,001 in 2012
- Most diagnoses occur in sexually active gay men, according to new data
- It is unclear why syphilis diagnoses have risen dramatically in just four years
- Experts warn rates will continue to rise unless prevention strategies improve
- Overall, STIs have declined by 4% since 2015, with 420,000 new cases in 2016
Alexandra Thompson Health Reporter For Mailonline
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England is in a ‘sexual health crisis’ after new figures reveal the number of cases of syphilis in 2016 increased by 97 per cent since 2012.
Diagnoses of the sexually transmitted infection (STI) is at its highest level since 1949, according to data from Public Health England (PHE).
In 2016, 5,920 cases of syphilis were diagnosed, compared to 3,001 four years earlier, the data revealed.
PHE said the infection is most common in sexually active gay men.
Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is usually caught through sexual intercourse with an infected person.
The infection is usually curable with a short course of antibiotics, however, if untreated, it can spread and cause life-threatening damage to the brain, heart and liver.
England is in a ‘sexual health crisis’ after figures reveal syphilis has risen by 97% in four years
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NEW SYPHILIS STRAIN MAY MAKE THE STI IMPOSSIBLE TO TREAT
Syphilis could become impossible to treat with key antibiotics, doctors warned last year amid concerns over a new drug-resistant strain.
Once a death sentence, the vast majority of syphilis cases today are curable with penicillin injections.
Yet, a study by the University of Zurich revealed an aggressive strain of the infection is more widespread than previously thought – and there are limited ways to control it.
There are two common types of syphilis: Nichols and Street Strain 14 (SS14).
In an analysis of syphilis samples, researchers found the most common to be SS14-?, a sub-set of SS14.
Alarmingly, 90 per cent of the SS14-? samples they analysed were resistant to antibiotics.
STIs declining overall
In 2016 there were 420,000 STI diagnoses in England; a decline of four per cent compared to 2015, according to the PHE data.
It is unclear why syphilis cases specifically are on the rise.
PHE said STIs are most prevalent in heterosexuals aged 15 to 24, black ethnic minorities and men who have sex with other men.
Urgent action needed
Commenting on the figures, Dr Michael Brady, medical director at sexual health charity the Terrence Higgins Trust, said: ‘Today’s figures show unacceptably high rates of STIs.
‘We’re facing huge challenges, such as the continued rise of syphilis and ongoing concerns around drug-resistant gonorrhoea, and we urgently need to address the nation’s poor sexual health and rates of STIs in those most at risk.
‘In this climate of cuts to local authorities’ public health budgets, this is particularly concerning. Now is not the time to be scaling back sexual health services.
He said: ‘Cuts to chlamydia testing, for example, are having a visible impact, with today’s figures showing that there has been a 9% decrease in the number of chlamydia tests taken.
‘It 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.’
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