Gonorrhoea and syphilis cases on the rise in Wales

doctor stock image — New figures have been released by the Welsh NHS

The number of recorded gonorrhoea and syphilis cases increased in Wales last year.

Figures released in a report by the Welsh NHS show gonorrhoea cases jumped 27% in 2023 – with 5,292 cases recorded.

Across the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB), which covers Caerphilly County Borough and the wider Gwent area, 922 people tested positive for gonorrhoea – a sharp rise from the 540 cases in 2022.

Why is Caerphilly in Gwent?

Caerphilly County Borough was formed on April 1, 1996, by the merger of the Rhymney Valley district of Mid Glamorgan with the Islwyn borough of Gwent.

Administratively, for local services such as the police and health, the borough now falls under a wider region referred to as Gwent. This comprises the council areas of Caerphilly, Newport, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent and Monmouthshire.

Cases were most prevalent amongst white males aged between 15 and 24.

Meanwhile, syphilis cases across Wales rose by 20% – with 507 cases in 2023. Of these cases, 111 were recorded in the ABUHB area – a rise from the 72 recorded in Gwent the previous year.

Cases were most prevalent amongst white males aged between 25 and 34.

Public Health Wales (PHW), which is the country’s national public health agency and forms part of the Welsh NHS, explained enhanced testing efforts may be behind the rise.

An STI (sexually transmitted infections) home testing service was introduced in 2020.

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However, PHW said the figures are also “likely to represent increased transmission of these diseases in Wales”.

The report outlines how STI testing is currently at a decade-high level.

In 2023, 87,235 individuals were tested for gonorrhoea, and 65,742 for syphilis, showing a significant rise in testing numbers compared to previous years.

This increased accessibility to testing is likely uncovering more cases that might have gone undiagnosed in the past, PHW explained.

Professor Daniel Thomas, consultant epidemiologist at PHW, said: “While these rising numbers may reflect in part an increase in the number of tests being carried out in Wales, they also raise concerns of increasing transmission of these sexually transmitted infections, particularly among young people.

“PHW remains committed to providing accessible testing for STIs through it’s free, confidential test-and-post service, and encourages everyone to take proactive steps to manage their sexual health.”

Visit NHS Wales’ website to order home STI testing kits online.

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