Another Reason For Brexodus? English Syphilis Cases Soar To Highest In 80 Years

It’s not just bankers that are leaving the UK, broad-based Brexodus continues as EU citizens flee the apparently sinking-ship and now, courtesy of the latest report from Public Health England, they have another good reason to leave ‘Ol Blighty – cases of syphilis have reached their highest level since 1949, new figures have shown.

After the Brexit referendum, more EU citizens are leaving Britain, while less Europeans are coming in. As the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show, 2016 brought 84,000 less migrants, compared to the previous year. Statista’s Fabian Moebus points out that the net migration of 248,000 people is the lowest number of yearly newcomers in over three years. Immigration from EU countries decreased by 43,000 people while emigration increased by 31,000, which makes Europeans the main factor behind the trend with a net change of minus 74,000.

You will find more statistics at Statista

And now might be an opportune time for ‘young’ Europeans to ‘Brexodus’ some more, as Sky News reports, in 2016, there were 5,920 diagnoses of syphilis – an increase of 12% from the previous year and almost double the 3,001 recorded in 2012.

Dr Michael Brady, medical director at sexual health charity the Terrence Higgins Trust, said:

“Today’s figures show unacceptably high rates of STIs.

“We’re facing huge challenges, such as the continued rise of syphilis and ongoing concerns around drug-resistant gonorrhoea, and we urgently need to address the nation’s poor sexual health and rates of STIs in those most at risk.”

He said that cuts in local authority public health budgets were having a “visible impact”, including a 9% decrease in the number of chlamydia tests taken.

“It is also now essential that Public Health England, the Department of Health and local authorities ensure improved access to effective STI and HIV testing, treatment and prevention services.

“Otherwise, we cannot expect to address the ongoing sexual health crisis.”

The impact of STIs remains greatest in heterosexuals aged 15 to 24, black ethnic minorities and gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.