Strong Rise in Syphilis Cases Reported in Germany

Germany saw a 20 percent increase in the number of syphilis cases reported last year, the Berlin-based Robert Koch Institute said Monday. In 2003, 2,932 people were diagnosed with syphilis, up from 2,275 cases in 2002, RKI said in a report. Most of the syphilis cases were reported in major cities, particularly in the northern cities of Berlin and Hamburg. Three out of four people who contracted syphilis were men who had sex with men, while the number of women diagnosed with the disease dropped by 10 percent over the year. The report said the rise is probably related to an increase in the number of sexual partners people reported, and it expressed concern an accompanying rise in HIV could result.

Back to other news for October 6, 2004

Search the Newsroom archive