Gonorrhoea and syphilis cases increase in Doncaster

The number of people being diagnosed with syphilis and gonorrhoea has more than doubled in Doncaster in five years.
Laboratory workers checking samples in the GUM clinic.Laboratory workers checking samples in the GUM clinic.
Laboratory workers checking samples in the GUM clinic.

New figures show the number of people being diagnosed with the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea per 100,000 of the population in the borough has rocketed from 47 in 2010 to 122 in 2015.

Meanwhile the number of cases of syphilis have risen from just two in 2010 to nine in 2015.

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The number of cases of chlamydia in the town were down slightly from 1,314 to 1,302 over the same period.

And figures, from Public Health England show there has been a decrease in “all new STIs” in the town from 2,528 in 2010 to 2,377 in 2015.

Doncaster’s director of public health, Dr Rupert Suckling, said: We welcome the news that overall rates of new STI diagnosis have fallen over the last five years in Doncaster.

“Whilst there does appear to be an increase in the reported cases of some STI, it is important to remember these numbers are still relatively small and when viewed as diagnostic rates per 100,000 population, Doncaster has lower rates of gonorrhoea and syphilis than regional and national reported figures.

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“Detection of chlamydia infection in high risk groups is important for ensuring rates of the infection are brought down in the general population. Therefore, testing and detection of chlamydia infection in 15 to 24 year olds is encouraged.

“We are pleased to report that Doncaster are exceeding the recommended diagnosis rate for chlamydia in 15 to 25 year olds.”

The news comes as it was revealed 41,193 people were diagnosed with gonorrhoea in 2015 nationally - an increase of 10 per cent on the previous year. A total 5,288 people were diagnosed with syphilis in 2015 - a rise of 76 per cent since 2012.

It is believed that the diseases are disproportionately affecting men who have sex with men, with gonorrhoea rising by 21 per cent among gay and bisexual men.