The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned of a small but significant increase in cases of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea.
Most cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be treated quickly, but there is growing concern about strains that cannot be treated as easily.
Between June 2022 and May 2024, scientists working at the UKHSA identified 15 cases in England that were resistant to the antibiotic ceftriaxone, the first-line drug used to treat the disease in the UK.
This compares with just nine cases that had been detected before 2022.
If left untreated, gonorrhea can cause major health problems, including pelvic problems and infertility.
So far, all detected cases have been heterosexuals. Most were between 20 and 30 years old and contracted the infection abroad.
But some of the UKHSA's leading epidemiologists say that while the numbers are small, a major response is still needed.
Dr Hamish Mohammed is one of them, telling Agency Newsbeat: “One case is too many.”
“Antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea is a global public health problem,” he said.
He says it is vital to limit any transmission in the UK if gonorrhoea is to remain a treatable infection.
But he adds that the UK has a unique and effective way of obtaining “comprehensive data to analyse trends in STIs”.
From the swab to the laboratory
The UKHSA is working to process samples from across the country, monitoring for different strains and anything that individual clinics cannot fully diagnose.
It also means that cases can be identified quickly so that sexual partners can be traced and tested to stop further spread.
They have more data to analyse than ever before. In 2023, more than 85,000 cases of gonorrhoea were reported in England, the highest number since records began.
That's the job of people like Zilan Ersoy, 24, one of the biomedical scientists working in a UKHSA high-security laboratory in north London.
She says describing what she does can sometimes make others apprehensive, but she says “it's important that we have these open conversations with our friends so they are aware and know they should get tested.”
The laboratory usually obtains samples in the form of swabs which are then processed or cultured in petri dishes.
“It may smell a bit, but it’s very interesting to see how the bacteria grow.”
She says she always wanted to work in this field because microbiology always fascinated her.
Zilan says it is vital that people also know how to protect themselves.
“I think it's really important that we have these conversations about sexual health.”
His advice is to make sure to use condoms, especially when having sex with new partners, and Get tested regularly.
Gonorrhea: Quick Facts
- Gonorrhea is easily transmitted from person to person through unprotected sexual intercourse.
- About 1 in 10 infected men and almost half of infected women do not experience any symptoms.
- The infection can be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby and, without treatment, can cause permanent blindness in a newborn baby.
- It is NOT transmitted by non-sexual contact such as hugging.
- It is NOT transmitted through surfaces and materials such as toilet seats, towels, cups or plates.
- If you have already been successfully treated for gonorrhea, you can still get it again.
Source: NHS
More information and tips are available at This NHS website.
Syphilis cases are on the rise again
Zilan's tips for good sexual health apply not only to protection against gonorrhea, but to all sexually transmitted infections.
The UKHSA has also released the latest data on syphilis rates which shows that cases are continuing to rise.
The disease can cause serious and potentially fatal damage to the brain, heart and nerves if left untreated. These new data show a year-on-year increase of 9.4% (from 8,693 cases detected in 2022 to 9,513 detected in 2023).
Although the highest rates are still among gay and bisexual men, the largest proportional increase is among heterosexual people.
The UKHSA says it wants more doctors to consider the condition and be aware of its symptoms.
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