Health officials in England are raising concerns about a surge in antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea cases, warning that the sexually transmitted infection could become “untreatable” if the trend continues.
Some infections have shown resistance to ceftriaxone, the primary antibiotic used.
More alarmingly, some cases are classified as "extensively drug resistant" (XDR), meaning they don't respond to ceftriaxone or the secondary treatment.
New data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reveals a concerning increase in resistant cases. Between January 2024 and March 2025, 17 cases of ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhoea were reported, 13 in 2024 and four in the first three months of 2025.
Dr Katy Sinka, consultant epidemiologist and head of the STI section at UKHSA, said: “Gonorrhoea is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, which could make it untreatable in future.
“If left untreated, it can cause serious problems like pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.”
Source: The Independent, 27 March 2025
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