Hundreds more cases of sexually transmitted diseases in our region

SEXUALLY transmitted infections are on the rise in Kirklees.

New figures from Public Health England reveal that there were 2,995 new cases of STIs diagnosed across the area in 2019.

That’s up from 2,808 cases in 2018. In particular, new cases of gonorrhoea are up by 41% in the last year, with the number of new diagnoses rising from 274 in 2018 to 387 in 2019.

If left untreated, gonorrhoea can lead to infertility in men and women.

Cases of herpes are up 12% from 269 to 300, chlamydia up 5% from 1,375 to 1,441, warts down 2% from 322 to 316, and syphilis are down 16% from 32 to 27.

PHE said the overall rise in STIs is likely to be due to people not using condoms correctly and consistently with new and casual partners, as well as an increase in testing.

The 2,995 new cases diagnosed in Kirklees in 2019 works out as 68 for every 10,000 people – a lower rate than the national average. Across England, there were 468,342 new diagnoses last year, or 83 for every 10,000 people.

The number of new STIs diagnosed nationally is up from 447,522 cases in 2018 – and a significant increase in gonorrhoea diagnoses in particular has prompted health officials to warn of the need to practise safe sex.

The number of gonorrhoea cases detected across the country rose by 26% in the last year, rising from 56,232 new diagnoses to 70,936.

New cases of syphilis are up by 10% from 7,260 to 7,982, chlamydia up 5% from 218,881 to 229,411, herpes up 2% from 33,734 to 34,570 and warts down 11% from 57,311 to 51,274.

Lambeth in London has the highest rate of newly diagnosed STIs in England – 12,764 in 2019, or 391 for every 10,000 people.

Dr Hamish Mohammed, national lead for sexually transmitted infection surveillance at Public Health England, said: “The considerable rise of gonorrhoea cases in England, as well as the continued rise of other STIs, is concerning.

“It is important to emphasise that STIs can pose serious consequences to health – both your own and that of current and future sexual partners.

“We have seen that gonorrhoea has become more resistant to antibiotics and expect to see further cases of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea in the future, which will be challenging for healthcare professionals to manage.

“The consistent and correct use of condoms with new and casual sexual partners is the best defence against all STIs. If you have had sex without a condom with a new or casual partner, you should get tested.” Those at risk of STIs can still access services through sexual health clinics during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Many clinics offer online testing, which means people can order tests using clinic websites, take them in the privacy of their own home and send kits off to a laboratory, and receive results via text, phone call or post.

We have seen that gonorrhoea has become more resistant to antibiotics and expect to see further

cases of antibioticresistant gonorrhoea.