Spike in gonorrhoea cases post-pandemic prompts warning from health agency

Health officials have issued a warning over gonorrhoea after a 21 per cent spike in cases following the lifting of Covid lockdown restrictions.

The number of people catching “the clap” in the first nine months of 2022 was more than a fifth higher than the same period in 2019, official figures show.

There are now more cases of gonorrhoea than in every pandemic year, as well as 2019, the year with the biggest tally of gonorrhoea cases to date.

Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show the most up to date figure for gonorrhoea cases in 2022 was 56,327, 21 per cent more than 2019’s 46,541.

Officials say more people have been diagnosed with the STI following the lifting of coronavirus restrictions in 2021 which allowed for more free mixing.

Experts say 15 to 24 year olds are the most likely to catch gonorrhoea because of regular swapping of sexual partners and this group being the most likely to have multiple partners.

People with the infection, which is easy to treat with antibiotics, often have no symptoms and guidance states that someone engaging in casual sex with several people should be tested regularly to ensure they are not infected. Condoms are recommended for high-risk individuals.

Typical symptoms include a thick green or yellow discharge from the genitalia when urinating, discomfort in the rectum, lower abdominal pain and bleeding between periods.

Dr Katy Sinka, Consultant Epidemiologist and Head of the STI section at UKHSA, said: “Condoms aren’t just about preventing unwanted pregnancy; they are the main defence against STIs.

“If you have had condomless sex with a new or casual partner, it is even more important to get tested to detect any potential infections early and prevent passing them on to others.”

Dr Thomas Waite, Deputy Chief Medical officer at the Department of Health & Social Care said: “Practicing safe sex and getting tested regularly is important to keep you and your sexual partners safe.

“Condoms and early detection are essential in preventing and addressing the rise in cases we are currently seeing of gonorrhoea.

“Many sexually transmitted infections including gonorrhoea and chlamydia can be diagnosed easily and treated with antibiotics. If left untreated, common STIs can lead to complications and long-term health problems.

“Testing is simple - samples are quick to take, can be collected at home, and sent off by post for analysis, making early detection accessible to everyone.”