The increase in the number of sexually transmitted diseases is not so much due to an exponential increase, but more to a new law that has now introduced mandatory reporting of diseases.

Since the introduction of mandatory reporting in 2019, cases of syphilis, chlamydia or gonorrhoea are reported twice as much. On the one hand from the doctor, on the other from the laboratory.

The advantage of such a system, which also exists in most other EU countries, guarantees better coverage of the reports, especially because the laboratory results are digitised and can thus be transmitted much more easily.

In 2021, 1,136 cases of chlamydia were reported, 417 of gonorrhoea, and 198 of syphilis, Paulette Lenert explained in response to a parliamentary question.

Her answer also listed the reports per month, showing that there is no significant increase in diseases in Luxembourg. The same applied to HIV and viral hepatitis.

Nonetheless, the Minister continues to advocate the need for further information on prevention, especially on the use of condoms.