Rise in Gonorrhea Cases in England and Wales

There has been a 25% increase in the number of cases of gonorrhea and experts are of the opinion that it is becoming more resistant to treatment. Incidentally, gonorrhea is the second most common bacterial STI in England.

A new initiative has begun in England and Wales which seek to bring some control to the growing threat of STI. It is hoped that the first phase of the Gonorrhea Resistance Action Plan will step-up awareness of the disease.

Developed by the Gonococcal Resistance to Antimicrobials Surveillance Programme (Grasp) and established by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), the plan will seek to keep a check on the issue of increasing resistance over the last 10 years.

Professor Cathy Ison said: "Ensuring treatment resistant gonorrhea strains do not persist and spread remains a major public health concern. The Grasp action plan raises awareness of this important issue and sets out practical, measurable actions to extend the useful life of the current recommended therapies in England and Wales."



Source: Medindia