First ‘super gonorrhoea’ victim is cured

A BRITISH man who became the first ever to contract “super gonorrhoea” has been cured, as doctors say the case is a wake-up call.

The patient had a regular female partner in the UK but picked up the highly resistant strain of the infection after a sexual encounter with a woman in South East Asia, Public Health England (PHE) said last month.

It was believed to be the first time globally that the infection could not be treated with first choice antibiotics. Dr Gwenda Hughes, head of PHE’S sexually transmitted infection (STI) section, said: “We are pleased to report that the case of multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea has been successfully treated.

“Investigations have also revealed there has been no further spread of this infection within the UK.”

The man visited sexual health services earlier this year, but attempts to get rid of the STI with the recommended treatment failed. The patient was cured after three days of intravenous doses of the antibiotic ertapenem. The man’s UK partner tested negative.

Dr Hughes said: “Two similar cases have just been reported in Australia and serve as a timely reminder that we expect to see further cases of multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea in the future.

“We urge the public to avoid getting or passing on gonorrhoea by using condoms consistently and correctly.”