As cases of a drug resistant “super strain” of gonorrhoea are found in the UK, here in New Zealand, The Ministry of Health say that there have been seven samples of gonorrhoea collected in New Zealand that were resistant to the same drug, azithromycin, however they are unsure of the level of resistance. "A recent survey by ESR, commissioned by the Ministry of Health, found that of 425 Neisseria gonorrhoea samples collected, seven were resistant to azithromycin,” says a Ministry spokesperson. “Please note, this survey did not distinguish the grades of resistance, therefore we do not know how many, if any of the seven, had high-level resistance to azithromycin. “The survey found overall, rates of antimicrobial resistant gonorrhoea were generally comparable to other developed countries. “ Public Health England has acknowledged that measures to contain the outbreak in the UK have had “limited success” and Dr Peter Saxton, Director of Gay Men’s Sexual Health research group says in New Zealand there is currently “no public health outbreak plan in New Zealand for STIs.” He says, the outbreak of this “super strain” of gonorrhoea in the UK, most recently found among gay and bi men, is concerning. In March 2015, Saxton co-wrote an editorial in The New Zealand Medical Journal noting that “Reporting MSM status in STI surveillance is increasingly common around the world. In many countries national sexual health strategies provide the impetus for this. In tandem, data and strategies monitor progress on sexual health targets, prompt action, and focus prevention to those most at-risk for maximum public health impact. “In contrast, New Zealand not only lacks notification and enhanced surveillance of most STIs, but also lacks a national sexual health strategy, action plan, national and DHB targets or priorities to guide responses.” In December, an editorial in the Journal written by Peter Saxton, the Scientific Director of NZAF Anthony J Hughes and Consultant Physician Massimo Giola stated that “the number of rectal gonorrhoea cases reported in males rose from 31 in 2010, to 121 in 2014.” The Ministry recommends people always adopt safe-sex practices and use condoms to help prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 22nd April 2016 - 1:53pm