A biblical disease has hit a record high prevalence across East Riding and into Humberside.
There were more cases in 2022 of the sexually transmitted disease (STD) gonorrhea in England than at any time since records began more than 100 years ago.
East Riding had a rate of 65.6 cases per 100,000, or one infection for every 1,500 people. But it also saw a record number of infections last year, with 225 cases. This was more than quadruple the 53 cases in 2021.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised the government to offer a targeted vaccination programme to prevent its spread. The JCVI says evidence shows the 4CMenB vaccine, currently used to protect children from meningitis and septicaemia, offers some protection against gonorrhoea.
Professor Andrew Pollard, JCVI chair said:
“Introducing a MenB vaccination programme to prevent gonorrhoea in England would be a world first and should significantly help to reduce levels of gonorrhoea, which are currently at a record high."
Symptoms of the disease, formerly known as “the clap”, include a thick green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis, pain when peeing and, in women, bleeding between periods. It was first described by Albert Neisser in 1879, but gonorrhea existed long before then.
In 130AD, Roman physician Galen described it as an “involuntary escape of semen”. The disease is thought to be referenced in the bible, particularly in the Old Testament Book of Leviticus, which warns: “The man that hath an issue of seed, shall be unclean.”
Another STD on the rise is syphilis. It increased by 15 per cent last year in England, to nearly 8,700 diagnoses, Public Health England data showed.
To find your nearest sexual health clinic, click here.
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