An Untreatable Form of Gonorrhea is Spreading in Europe
A drug-resistant strain of gonorrhea is spreading across Europe, with cases rising in countries like France, Germany, and the UK. Health experts are concerned as the pathogen shows resistance to standard antibiotic treatments like ceftriaxone and azithromycin.
Why it matters
The emergence of untreatable STIs poses a significant public health threat and highlights the risks of antibiotic resistance.
An Untreatable Form of Gonorrhea is Spreading in Europe
The first cases were isolated: patients brought gonorrhea resistant to conventional treatments from abroad, reports Euronews. The infected individuals were tourists who had visited Southeast Asian countries such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
These countries are considered the main sources of resistant strains due to their climate, poor sanitary conditions, and rampant prostitution.
However, since 2025, the situation has changed: the new form of gonorrhea has ceased to be exotic. It has been found to spread very quickly within European countries. This is not surprising, as an influx of visitors settles in, begins to make contact with locals, including sexual interactions, and nothing prevents mutated gonococci from triumphantly marching through European states that know no borders.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in