Iceland has recorded its highest gonorrhoea rates in 40 years, with 283 people diagnosed with the infection in the first nine months of 2026. The figure marks a 20% increase on last year and is more than five times higher than in 2021.
The Nordic nation, a popular short-break destination for British travellers, has a population of around 400,000. According to Icelandic news site RUV, the number of cases equates to 72 per 100,000 inhabitants - considerably higher than the European average of 27 per 100,000, but lower than the UK average of 101.
Possible Causes Behind the Rise
Guðrún Aspelund, Iceland's Chief Epidemiologist, spoke to RUV about potential reasons for the increase. She said: "What's been mentioned in Europe, because this is also being seen in some other European countries, is possibly reduced condom use, changes in sexual behaviour, and having more sexual partners."
"But we don't know which of these factors, or what combination of them, might be causing this here," she added.
Who Is Affected
Of those testing positive, 249 (88%) were male, while 34 individuals (12%) were female. The biggest increase has been seen among men aged 30 and over, with the largest affected age group being those between 30 and 44. Of those diagnosed this year, 43% did not have Icelandic citizenship.
Gonorrhoea can remain undetected as some people do not experience symptoms. For those who do, it can cause a yellow or greenish discharge, as well as pain in the abdomen and when urinating. It can also affect the eyes, throat and anus. If left untreated, the infection can cause damage to sexual organs and complications for fertility and in pregnancy.
More information on the symptoms and treatment for gonorrhoea can be found on the NHS website.
