{"id":84587,"date":"2017-09-20T09:02:42","date_gmt":"2017-09-20T09:02:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=a8928f699e2b74032766ba414325372e"},"modified":"2017-09-20T09:02:42","modified_gmt":"2017-09-20T09:02:42","slug":"press-release-london-turns-the-tide-on-an-8-year-surge-of-gonorrhoea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=84587","title":{"rendered":"Press release: London turns the tide on an 8 year surge of gonorrhoea"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A new report released by Public Health England (PHE<\/abbr>) shows new cases of gonorrhoea in Londoners dropped by 19% in 2016 compared with figures from the year before.<\/p>\n

Gonorrhoea had been increasing year-on-year in the capital since 2009, and this reduction may be an encouraging sign that Londoners are getting tested for STIs<\/abbr> more frequently and are practicing safe sex by using condoms.<\/p>\n

Overall sexually transmitted infections (STIs<\/abbr>) fell by 5% in London last year with decreases seen among most of the 5 major STIs<\/abbr>. New cases of genital warts fell by 5% and cases of genital herpes dropped by 2%.
\nBut the data also comes with a note of caution as the number of syphilis diagnoses reported rose by 2% in 2016, double the number reported in 2012. Cases of chlamydia meanwhile, the most common STI<\/abbr>, increased by 1%.<\/p>\n

STIs<\/abbr> remain an important public health problem in London, with the capital having the highest rate of new diagnoses in England, 79% higher than any other part of the country. Of the top 20 local authorities in England with the highest rates of new STI<\/abbr> diagnoses, 17 were in London.<\/p>\n

Overall in 2016, there were 117,600 new STIs<\/abbr> diagnosed in London residents compared with more than 123,800 diagnosed in 2015.<\/p>\n

Dr Yvonne Doyle, Regional Director for PHE<\/abbr> London, said:<\/p>\n

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London has turned the tide on an 8 year surge of gonorrhoea with overall rates of STIs<\/abbr> decreasing.<\/p>\n

This encouraging news could show that work to promote frequent testing together with safe sex practices is paying off. This means people are using condoms and are regularly being tested.<\/p>\n

However, the data comes with a note of caution. Poor sexual health remains a public health problem in London and STIs<\/abbr> are still too high compared to other parts of the country, with rates of syphilis and chlamydia actually increasing.<\/p>\n

Tackling poor sexual health remains high on the agenda for PHE<\/abbr> London and we will continue to work with our partners to deliver effective public health interventions to improve sexual health outcomes across the capital.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

To reduce the number of STIs<\/abbr>, it is important that Londoners are familiar with PHE<\/abbr>\u2019s recommendations for safe sexual health. These include getting tested every year and when changing sexual partner, as well as getting re-tested after a positive chlamydia diagnosis (within 3 months of the diagnosis).<\/p>\n

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\n

Lucy Fordham<\/h3>\n
\n
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\n Email<\/span>
\n Lucy.fordham@phe.gov.uk<\/a>\n <\/p>\n

\n Telephone<\/span>
\n 020 7811 7254\n <\/p>\n

\n Mobile<\/span>
\n 07775 113510\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Background<\/h2>\n

The annual epidemiological spotlight on sexually transmitted infections in London (2016 data<\/a> is available online.<\/p>\n

You can view local data on sexual health via PHE<\/abbr>\u2019s Sexual Reproductive Health Profiles<\/a> online.<\/p>\n

PHE<\/abbr> published annual data on STI<\/abbr> diagnoses<\/a> in June 2017 and these are available online.<\/p>\n

For safe sex, PHE<\/abbr> recommends:<\/p>\n