Gonorrhoea in Poland in 2022.
Karolina Zakrzewska1, Marta Niedźwiedzka-Stadnik1
1Department of Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases and Surveillance, National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute, Warsaw.
Przeglad Epidemiologiczny
|March 18, 2025
Summary
Gonorrhoea cases in Poland surged in 2022, with a 20.7% increase from pre-pandemic levels, despite dual crises. Enhanced surveillance and public health measures are crucial for effective prevention and control of this sexually transmitted infection.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Global gonorrhoea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) cases returned to pre-pandemic trends in 2022, reaching new peaks across EU/EEA countries.
- The year 2022 was marked by dual crises: the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, leading to significant population migration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the 2022 epidemiological situation of gonorrhoea in Poland.
- To analyze trends in gonorrhoea incidence and reporting during a period of dual public health challenges.
Main Methods:
- Utilized epidemiological surveillance case-based data for gonorrhoea in Poland for 2022.
- Compared incidence rates (2013-2022) and patient treatment data with previous years.
- Analyzed demographic, clinical, and reporting characteristics of diagnosed cases.
Main Results:
- Poland reported 630 gonorrhoea cases in 2022, a 20.7% increase from the 2019 pre-pandemic peak.
- Incidence was higher in men (3.22/100,000) than women (0.21/100,000), with significant regional variations.
- Most cases (93.3%) occurred in men aged 25-34, primarily affecting the genitourinary tract (79.7%).
- Over 20% of 2022 cases were diagnosed in 2020-2021, indicating reporting delays.
- No cases were linked to refugees from the Ukraine conflict, though infections may remain undetected.
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 pandemic-related delays impacted gonorrhoea case reporting.
- The war in Ukraine did not directly influence the 2022 increase, but undetected infections among refugees are a concern.
- Strengthening surveillance, local coordination, and improving access to diagnostics, treatment, and post-exposure prophylaxis are essential for future prevention.
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