Cases of ‘super gonorrhoea’ resistant to multiple drugs identified in England

FIVE cases of an extra super drug-resistant gonorrhoea have been detected in England, according to a new Government report.

The newer strain has proven resistant to even more antibiotics than its predecessor, super-gonorrhoea, raising fears that the infection could one day become completely "untreatable."

2

While the STI is not a killer, it can cause long-term health problems if not treated such as pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and ectopic pregnancies.

The first case of super-gonorrhoea in England was detected in 2016 and since then cases have been on the rise - with 31 reported in total.

The strain is resistant to the primary antibiotic, ceftriaxone, forcing doctors to rely on the backup medicine azithromycin.

The newer 'extensively drug-resistant' strain was detected in five people between June 2022 and May 2023, according to an early pre-print study from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Read more on gonorrhoea

UNWANTED GIFT

Experts warn of 'STI boom' over Christmas party period as infections surge

JAB PLANS

World's first gonorrhoea vaccine rollout needed to stem rapidly rising cases

This strain is not only resistant to ceftriaxone but also the second-line antibiotic, making it even more alarming, according to experts.

All cases were found in "heterosexual individuals, mostly in their 20s, and most acquired the infection abroad”, the study added.

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."

Professor Matt Phillips, President of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, said the rise of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea infections in England was "worrying" and "must be addressed with immediate action."

Most read in Health

CLOCKED IT

30-second drawing test could predict your dementia risk - how do you score?

SHOCK TWIST

My 'cold' was a flesh-eating bug that ravaged my bum and left me close to death

SINISTER TRUTH

I blamed my thumping headache on a hangover - it was a deadly cancer

WARNING SIGNS

6 surprising early signs of Alzheimer’s – from dressing scruffy to swearing

It comes as a record number of people in England were diagnosed with gonorrhoea last year, according to separate UKHSA data.

Diagnoses rose 7.5 per cent - from 79,268 in 2022 to 85,223 in 2023.

Overall, NHS data in 2023 shows that more than 165 cases of antibiotic-resistant infections were being detected in hospitals every day – a rise of about 50 per cent over five years.

Despite the increasing need for new antibiotics, there is little incentive for pharmaceutical companies to invest in their development.

Antibiotics can take 10-15 years to develop and cost over $1.5 billion, while average revenue is estimated at around $46 million a year.

The new cases come amid an anticipated STI backlog caused by the pandemic.

2

Stay safe from gonorrhea

Gonorrhea, often called "the clap,

Here’s how you can keep yourself safe and spot the symptoms early:

Symptoms to Watch For:

• In Women: Unusual vaginal discharge, pain during urination, bleeding between periods, or pelvic pain
• In Men: Discharge from the penis, pain while urinating, or swollen testicles
• In Both Genders: Sore throat (if contracted through oral sex), or rectal discomfort and discharge (if contracted through anal sex)

Prevention Tips:

1. Use Condoms: They’re your best bet for protection against gonorrhea and other STIs
2. Get Tested Regularly: Especially if you’re sexually active or have multiple partners
3. Communicate with Partners: Talk openly about sexual health and STI status
4. Limit Partners: Reducing the number of sexual partners can lower your risk
5. Seek Treatment Promptly: If you notice any symptoms or think you’ve been exposed, get tested and treated quickly