The number of syphilis cases in England are at their highest level since 1949 and are placing a “significant strain” on council resources.
New figures show there were a total of 7,137 cases of syphilis in 2017 – an increase of 20% from the previous year and more than double what was recorded in 2012.
Those aged between 25 and 34-years-old accounted for most cases – a total of 33%. Those aged between 35 and 44 followed at 26%.
The Public Health England figures showed a large proportion of diagnoses – 78% – involved men who have sex with men.
The body called for strengthened services for better prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
The chairwoman of the Local Government Association’s community wellbeing board said the rise was placing a “significant strain” on council resources.
“There is no time for complacency,” said Councillor Izzi Seccombe. “Unless greater recognition and funding is given to councils to invest in prevention services, a reversal in the encouraging and continuing fall in STIs is now a real risk.
“Health inequalities will remain and councils may be unable to respond effectively to unforeseen outbreaks.”
She added: “Government must reverse cuts to councils’ public health grants because we cannot tackle this by stretching services even thinner.”
The overall number of new STI diagnoses last year was largely unchanged, but figures showed there was a 22% increase in gonorrhoea cases, which Public Health England branded “concerning”.
It follows the first case of gonorrhoea highly resistant to the two types of antibiotics used to treat it being recorded in the UK in March.
The figures showed a drop of 8% in those taking tests for chlamydia.
Most of the decrease took place in sexual and reproductive health services where chlamydia testing has fallen by 61% since 2015, which Public Health England said was “likely reflecting a reduction in service provision”.
The body recommended that local authorities enable young women to be tested for chlamydia while accessing contraceptive services.
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