Sounds the alarm regarding Gonorrhea epidemic
The cases of Gonorrhea infections increased by 28 per cent from 2016 to 2017. The Norwegian Directorate of Health is afraid that the development will continue this summer.
The late summer is a time of love and it is important to remember that there has been an increase in sexually transmitted diseases such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. Gonorrhea is in many cases antibiotic resistant, says director of the Norwegian Directorate of Health, Bjørn Guldvog, to NTB.
So far this year, 663 gonorrhea diagnoses have been recorded, according to figures from the Institute of Public Health (FHI).
The Institute’s survey shows that the number of registered cases last year was 1,399, an increase of 28 per cent compared to 2016. The increase was biggest among men who have sex with other men, the number of cases of Gonorrhea in this group increased last year by 50 per cent compared to the previous year.
Asks people to wear a condom
The Directorate of Health is afraid that the development will continue this summer.
– The spread comes in a period with less use of condom and quite extensive travel activity. Many are infected in Asia, Africa and southern Europe, says Guldvog.
He emphasizes that Gonorrhea can lead to serious infections, discomfort and even sterility.
– The best way to stay safe is to wear a condom. It is an advice we have issued regularly, especially to the youngsters, Guldvog says.
Disturbing spreading
In March, senior adviser in FHI, Øivind Nilsen, also expressed great concern in connection with the spreading of Gonorrhea.
– Gonorrhea is one of the microbes we are adware of with the greatest potential for antibiotic resistance. While we used to be able to use regular penicillin we are currently must administer the treatment intravenously, and we only possess one type of antibiotics that is effective. We see growing number of cases both in Norway and the rest of the world of resistance to the medicines we are currently using, says Nilsen.
– Combined with the fact that the disease is perceived as easy and treat and not very serious, this is worrying, Nilsen rounds off.
© NTB scanpix / #Norway Today
