The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned those with new or multiple sexual partners to get tested as cases of gonorrhoea continue to surge. Cases in England, including Bristol, rose sharply since the easing of the Covid lockdown restrictions in 2021 and have consistably remained above 2019 levels.
Provisional data published on Thursday 16 March indicates that gonorrhoea diagnoses from January to September 2022 in the UK were 21 per cent higher than those reported over the same period in 2019. Data also indicates that during the first nine months of 2022, gonorrhoea cases were higher than those reported over the same period in each of the last three years.
The UKHSA reminds people to wear a condom and get tested regularly if having sex with new or casual partners. Testing is free, discrete and even people not showing any symptoms are encouraged to get tested.
