An alarming increase in gonorrhoea cases amongst heterosexuals and gay men in London has taken place over the past three years, according to a report from public health officials in The Lancet.
Across London, cases up are by 34.9%, from 1155 reports in 1997 to 1559 reports in 1999, with the steepest increase in 1999.
The biggest increase in overall numbers has occurred at St Thomas's Hospital in South London (up from 222 cases in 1997 to 311 in 1999) but the sharpest increase in percentage terms has occurred at the John Hunter Clinic in West London, which predominantly serves gay and bisexual men. Cases at that clinic were up by two thirds in 1999 compared with the previous year. The overwhelming majority of gonorrhoea cases amongst gay men are being diagnosed at three clinics in London: University College, St Mary's and the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital's multi-site GUM service.
In 1999 the majority of cases were reported in men (73%), with almost half the cases occurring in the 25-34 age group. In women, the majority of cases were reported in those aged 24 and under, and a majority of all gonorrhoea cases in the 16-19 age group were diagnosed in young women.
Researchers warn that more resources need to be devoted to sexual health promotion focussed on the districts and groups at highest risk. Active gonorrhoea infection is known to increase HIV levels in semen, even in men with undetectable viral load on a blood test.
Martin IMC et al. Rise in gonorrhoea in London, UK. The Lancet 355: 623, 2000