A man in the UK has contracted the very first recorded case of treatment-resistant super-gonorrhoea.
Public Health England says it is the first time the infection cannot be cured with first choice antibiotics.
The man attended sexual health services this year and was found to be infected with a form of the bacteria that is completely resistant to the first line of treatment used against it.
Health officials are now tracing any other sexual partners of the man, who remains anonymous, to prevent the further spread of the infection.
Dr Gwenda Hughes, from Public Health England, said: “This is the first time a case has displayed such high-level resistance to both of these drugs and to most other commonly used antibiotics.”
“We are following up this case to ensure that the infection was effectively treated with other options and the risk of any onward transmission is minimized.”
Symptoms are not always easily identifiable but can include a burning sensation when urinating and unusual discharge from the penis or vagina.
If left untreated, the infection has the potential to cause serious health problems, including long-term abdominal pain and pelvic inflammatory disease, which could lead to ectopic pregnancy and infertility.
