The number of young people with a gonorrhea infection continues to soar, with an increase of 31% over the last year, latest figures from public health institute RIVM have shown.

Some 13,853 cases of the sexually transmitted disease were registered in 2023 following a 33% rise in 2022.

The rise is most dramatic among women, the RIVM said, with a 78% increase.  Some 2,598 women were found to have gonorrhea in 2023 compared to 1,468 the year before.

Women should be extra vigilant because the disease has few symptoms and can lead to fertility problems if left untreated, the RIVM warned.

Among heterosexual men, cases rose by 51% to 1007, a remarkable rise, the RIVM said, because the disease is more common among gay men.

Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection which can attack the urethra, rectum, testicles and cervix.

The RIVM does not say what is causing the rise in cases but said earlier the fall in condom use among young people is a contributing factor. The availability of treatment may have led to more risky behaviour, RIVM-arts Rosa Joosten said.

Chlamydia is still the most common STD with 24,048 cases registered in 2023. Syphilis cases rose by 8% and HIV infections remained stable.