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Genital herpes rising in England, despite overall drop in STIs
Key takeaways
- Michelle Roberts Digital health editor Getty Images New cases of genital herpes are increasing in England, bucking an overall fall in sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the latest data shows.
- Nearly 29,000 people were diagnosed with genital herpes in 2025 – a 3% rise on the previous year, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
- Overall, STI diagnoses fell by 8% over the same period, from around 364,000 to 334,000, with decreases seen in infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis.
Why this matters: a developing story that could shape the day's news cycle.
Michelle Roberts Digital health editor Getty Images New cases of genital herpes are increasing in England, bucking an overall fall in sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the latest data shows.
Nearly 29,000 people were diagnosed with genital herpes in 2025 – a 3% rise on the previous year, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Overall, STI diagnoses fell by 8% over the same period, from around 364,000 to 334,000, with decreases seen in infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis.
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