Global Outbreak Update: Two gonococcal infections in the UK

The cases show an extensive drug resistant (XDR) Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection. They are resistant to ceftriaxone and with intermediate susceptibility to azithromycin.

• Status: January 30th, 2019
• Time frame: Two infections occurred separately between September to November 2018. Patients attended by healthcare officials in October and November 2018.
• Regions: One infection occurred following sexual contact in Ibiza, Spain, reported in the UK. One infection occurred and reported in the UK after sexual contact with an individual that had traveled to Ibiza, Spain. 
• Virus Information: Both cases show an extensive drug resistant (XDR) Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection. These cases are resistant to ceftriaxone and with intermediate susceptibility to azithromycin. This threatens the recommended WHO dual therapy for gonorrhea (ceftriaxone 250 mg and azithromycin 1 g).
• Response: Public Health England set up an incident management team to coordinate the investigations and communication, ensure contacts are traced and spread contained. Public Health services in the Balearic Islands and in Ibiza, Spain have been informed 
• Recommendation: Patients should use prophylactics, STI screening and appropriate use of antibiotics. Public health authorities are encouraged to improve gonorrhea detection and management of treatment failure cases. Develop point-of-care testing and research alternative treatments.
• More information on this update here.

About the esanum Global Outbreak Updates
This section gives our users short updates from the World Health Organization’s Disease Outbreak News (DONs). They provide a glimpse into the day-to-day workings and importance of the overlaps amongst international public health cooperation, epidemiology, and national health systems.
For more information, please visit the WHO’s Disease Outbreak News