Public health body reports 17% increase in STDs

Sex symbolThe number of sexually transmitted infections in the Netherlands increased by 17% in 2015, according to new figures released by the public health institute RIVM.

The increase was in spite of a 3% fall in the number of people being tested, as a result of fewer consultations being held because of budget cuts, NOS reported.

Cases of syphilis increased by 27% to 942, while there were 17% more cases of gonorrhoea (5,391) and 5% more chlamydia infections. The latter remains the most common STI, with 18,585 recorded cases in 2015.

New HIV infections fell by 11% to 288, while genital warts and herpes were also less common.

People at high risk of contracting an STI are eligible for free tests at their local GGD-affiliated health centre.

Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation