40% Increase in Gonorrhea in Lane County

Just to keep you up-to-date on Lane County news: We are a hotbed of gonnorhea.

Number of STI Cases in Lane County Spike According to Health Officials

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

According to Lane County Health & Human Services, the latest data on reported cases of sexually transmitted disease and infections shows a nearly 40 percent increase in the number of gonorrhea cases and a 14 percent increase in Chlamydia compared to the same time period in 2011. Both gonorrhea and Chlamydia are major causes of serious reproductive complications in women and gonorrhea can facilitate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission.

“We are very concerned by the numbers we’re seeing here in Lane County, both due to the long term damage these infections can cause and the fact that they are often symptomless,” said Lane County Health Officer, Dr. Patrick Luedtke.

While some men may experience painful urination coupled with abnormal genital discharge, most women with gonorrhea experience either no symptoms or mistake the associated painful urination, bleeding and vaginal discharge with a bladder or vaginal infection. According to Luedtke, prevention and effective treatment are the cornerstones of control efforts.

“Nationally, treatment of gonorrhea has been complicated by the ability of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to develop antimicrobial resistance, here in Oregon we have no documented resistance, which is good news for infected individuals,” said Luedtke.

All individuals are urged to practice preventative measures, such as condom usage and regular testing, and if you suspect you may have gonorrhea or Chlamydia, see your physician immediately.

Lane County Health & Human Services is a department of Lane County. Their programs and services create a healthier and safer community through disease prevention, health promotion, and protection from environmental threats. Learn more about the work of Lane County Health and Human Services at: http://www.lanecounty.org/Departments/HHS

Jason Davis

Lane County Health & Human Services

Public Information Officer

(541)246-2043 (Direct)

www.lanecounty.org/hhs

Just out of curiosity: Anyone know why the county is lower casing gonnoreah but upper casing chlamydia? I just want to make sure I’ve got the right sexually transmitted-nfection grammar for future reference.