Sexually transmitted infections continue to pose significant public health challenges, causing 2.5 million deaths each year globally.

This is according to a new World Health Organisation report issued on Tuesday.

In 2022, WHO member states set out a target to reduce the annual number of adult syphilis infections by tenfold by 2030, from 7.1 million to 0.71 million.

New syphilis cases among adults aged 15–49 increased by nearly one million in 2022, reaching eight million, with 230,000 syphilis-related deaths.

Director-General of WHO, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, said new data shows sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise in most regions, with the highest increases occurring in America and the African Regions.

“New data also show an increase in multi-resistant gonorrhoea. As of 2023, out of 87 countries where enhanced gonorrhoea antimicrobial resistance surveillance was conducted, nine countries reported elevated levels of resistance to the last line of treatment for gonorrhoea. WHO has updated its recommended treatment to reduce the spread of this multi-resistant gonorrhoea strain.”

The report also revealed that efforts by countries and partners to expand STIs, HIV, and hepatitis services are bringing formidable gains.

WHO has validated 19 countries for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, reflecting investments in testing and treatment coverage for these diseases among pregnant women.

Botswana and Namibia are said to be on the path to eliminating HIV, with Namibia being the first country to submit a database to be evaluated for the triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis.