From Iceland – cases of sexually transmitted diseases are increasing significantly

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Jon Petur / mbl.is

A new report on infectious diseases shows a significant increase in cases of sexually transmitted diseases among the population of Iceland. Kamilla Sigríður Jósefsdóttir, head of the Infectious Diseases Department at the National University Hospital of Iceland, told RÚV that the increasing transmission of gonorrhea and syphilis is particularly worrying.

Until recently, sexually transmitted diseases were nearly eradicated through the use of antibiotics. In 2023, cases of these two diseases surpassed decades-old records. In total, 1,948 cases of chlamydia, 338 of gonorrhea and 73 of syphilis were diagnosed. The number of new cases of gonorrhea marks a 40-year high, while the number of syphilis diagnoses has not been this high since the mid-20th century. The majority of cases of gonorrhea and syphilis were diagnosed in men.

The report calls for immediate action. Access to testing has been made easier at the Skin and Venereal Diseases Department of the Landspítali, and testing is also available at local health centers.