Untreatable gonorrhoea 'superbug' spreading around world, WHO warns

2017/7/7 12:20:48

The WHO estimates 78 million people a year get gonorrhoea, an STD that can infect the genitals, rectum and throat. Photograph: Dr. David M. Phillips/Getty Images/Visuals Unlimited


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Reuters, July 7 2017

 

The World Health Organization has warned of the spread of totally untreatable strains of gonorrhoea after discovering at least three people with the superbug.

 

Giving details of studies showing a “very serious situation” with regard to highly drug-resistant forms of the sexually transmitted disease (STD), WHO experts said on Friday it was “only a matter of time” before last-resort gonorrhoea antibiotics would be of no use.

 

“Gonorrhoea is a very smart bug,” said Teodora Wi, a human reproduction specialist at the Geneva-based UN health agency. “Every time you introduce a new type of antibiotic to treat it, this bug develops resistance to it.“

 

The WHO estimates 78 million people a year get gonorrhoea, an STD that can infect the genitals, rectum and throat.

 

The infection, which in many cases has no symptoms on its own, can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility, as well as increasing the risk of getting HIV.

 

[…]

https://www.theguardian.com/society/20 ... ng-around-world-who-warns

 

Editor’s Note: Along with the updated material in this article, we are providing an Epinorth visual showing the incidence of gonorrhoea in northern Europe as of 2010. We have requested any more recent material available and will publish same as it becomes available. We would point out that the data shown in the visual currently provided should alert those planning to visit Russia for the World Cup 2018 that extreme vigilance should be undertaken in any sexual contact within Russia.

Printer Friendly Page Send this Story to a Friend Create a PDF from the article