STIs in 2022: emerging and re-emerging outbreaks

WHO
Sep 02, 2022

STIs in 2022: emerging and re-emerging outbreaks


During the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries had reported low coverage for preventive, testing and treatment services related to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which has led to a resurgence of STIs and the emergence of non-classical STIs globally. 

Countries with good STI surveillance such as the United States and Canada have reported an increase in at least 3 STIs: syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. Recent reports from different regions of the world have also reported increase in cases of congenital syphilis and syphilis especially among key populations. Outbreaks of non-classical STIs spread by sexual contact such as Shigella sonnei, hepatitis A, Neisseria meningitidis, Zika and Ebola have been on the rise. There were also reports on re-emergence of neglected STIs such as lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) among key populations and increasing Mycoplasma genitalium

Since 1 January 2022, cases of monkeypox have increased exponentially in countries that are not endemic of the disease. Most reported cases have a history of sexual contact and the majority are identified in sexual health or STI clinics and have involved mainly, but not exclusively, men who have sex with men.

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