Europe faces 80,000 new HIV infections in next three years, as STDs surge

Some 80,000 new HIV infections are expected in Europe over the next three years, amid a sharp rise in sexually-transmitted diseases.

The grim forecast, announced on Wednesday (3 June) by the executive director of the Stockholm-based European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), points to a resurgence of HIV, TB, viral hepatitis, and other sexual transmitted infections.

Taken together, the diseases kill 59,000 people every year throughout the EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

“We will see 80,000 new HIV infections, over 9,000 deaths due to tuberculosis in the upcoming three years in Europe,” said Dr Pamela Rendi-Wagner, who oversees the agency.

Speaking to MEPs in the European Parliament’s health committee, Rendi-Wagner said antimicrobial resistance will only add to the problem.