More than one in five adults globally is living with genital herpes, the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed in a new report that underscores the scale of this largely overlooked health crisis.

An estimated 846 million people aged between 15 and 49 are infected with the herpes simplex virus (HSV), with 42 million new cases emerging each year.

The WHO’s startling figures highlight the widespread and growing nature of the infection, which not only causes significant physical and emotional distress but also imposes a staggering $35 billion annual economic burden worldwide.

This includes healthcare costs and loss of productivity as many sufferers seek treatment for recurring painful outbreaks.

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Despite the prevalence of genital herpes, WHO experts note that the infection is often asymptomatic or mild in many cases, leading to a significant number of undiagnosed individuals.

However, for those who experience symptoms, the condition can be debilitating, with outbreaks of painful sores and blisters often requiring frequent medical attention.

Dr. Meg Doherty, Director of Global HIV, Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes at WHO, called for more robust efforts to combat genital herpes.

“While most people with a genital herpes infection experience few symptoms, it still causes pain and distress for millions globally, straining overburdened health systems,” she said.

In 2020, 520 million people were affected by HSV-2, the strain primarily responsible for symptomatic outbreaks, while 376 million had HSV-1 infections.

Notably, individuals infected with HSV-2 are at a three-fold increased risk of contracting HIV, compounding the global challenge of managing sexually transmitted infections.

The WHO report also stressed the complications associated with genital herpes, including the rare but serious risk of neonatal herpes, where the virus is transmitted from mother to child during childbirth, often resulting in severe health outcomes for newborns.

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Dr. Sami Gottlieb, WHO Medical Officer and co-author of the report, pointed to the stigma surrounding genital herpes as a significant barrier to addressing the infection.

“Stigma around genital herpes means it has been discussed too little, despite affecting millions of people globally. Not enough has been done to address this common infection,” she stated.

The WHO emphasized the urgent need for expanded research and investment in vaccines and antiviral treatments, noting that such developments could play a critical role in improving the quality of life for millions and reducing the transmission of other sexually transmitted infections like HIV.