Between the Lines: An Examination of Recent Increases in Gonorrhea in the U.S

From 1975 through 1997, the national gonorrhea rate declined 74%. Gonorrhea rates subsequently plateaued for several years. However, in 2006, the gonorrhea rate increased for the second consecutive year. Such increases, combined with increases in quinolone resistance and the limited treatment options now available, highlight the urgent need for more aggressive and coordinated gonorrhea control efforts. This presentation will characterize recent trends in gonorrhea using data from a variety of sources: case reporting, prevalence monitoring, and enhanced behavioral surveillance. Implications for gonorrhea control efforts at the national, state, and local levels will be addressed.