Officials Warn of Gonorrhea Outbreak in NH

CONCORD, NH — State health officials are warning that New Hampshire is in the middle of experiencing an outbreak of gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted disease, according to the latest figures released from 2016. Last year, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) received reports of 465 cases of the STD.

The increase is more than 250 percent over the previous baseline and three times the average number of cases reported – 130 – between 2007 and 2013.

Gonorrhea is caused by infection with the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium, and it can be transmitted through vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Gonorrhea most commonly infects the reproductive tract, including the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes in women, and the urethra in women and men, but can also infect the throat, and rectum.

People with gonorrhea may not have symptoms, or might only have mild symptoms. When present, symptoms can include burning or pain with urination, penile or vaginal discharge, and pain or swelling in the testicles of men. Rectal infection can also cause rectal pain, bleeding, or discharge, and throat infection can cause a sore throat.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that gonorrhea is the second most commonly reported STD.

“New Hampshire historically has had one of the lowest rates of gonorrhea infections in the country; however, over the last year we have seen a significant increase in the number of reported cases,” Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan said in a statement. “We are actively working to identify individuals who may have been exposed to gonorrhea in order to connect them with testing and treatment. We are also asking healthcare providers and patients with gonorrhea to help connect sex partners with medical care for evaluation and treatment of gonorrhea infection.”

State officials are recommending that everyone who is sexually active to speak with their healthcare providers and get tested for STDs like gonorrhea and chlamydia immediately. Anyone who may have been exposed through a sexual partner should also receive care immediately after testing.

The STD had reached history lows, nationally, in 2009, federal officials noted, but since that time, rates for gonorrhea as well as chlamydia and syphilis have been increasing.

Prevention tips include abstinence, limiting sexual partners, and using condoms every time, according to state officials. Getting tested before beginning a relationship with a new partner is also recommended.

For more information on gonorrhea, visit the NH Department of Health and Human Services at dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/gonorrhea.htm and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea.

Credit: CDC