Antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea cases in England are on the rise and could spread more widely, health officials have warned. A new alert has been sent about ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhoea after 15 cases, including five which were extremely resistant, have been detected since June 2022. Prior to 2022 there had only ever been nine cases found.
UK Health Security Agency said in 2023, over 85,000 gonorrhoea diagnoses were reported in England , the highest number since records began in 1918. While the sexually-transmitted infection can usually be easily treated with antibiotics some strains are resistant and are harder to treat. Ceftriaxone is the first choice antibiotic used to treat gonorrhoea in England.
According to UKHSA all cases to date have been detected among heterosexual individuals, mostly in their 20s - most acquired the infection abroad. Although the number of cases is small the public health body said increasing numbers were concerning as it increases the chances of wider spread infections and further treatment challenges. Dr Helen Fifer, consultant microbiologist at UKHSA, said: “Gonorrhoea is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, risking the possibility of it becoming untreatable in the future.
Untreated gonorrhoea can lead to serious health issues, including pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. Condoms are the best defence, but if you didn’t use one with a recent new or casual partner, get tested to detect the infection and prevent onward t.