The WHO's latest data highlights a concerning rise in antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea across 13 countries, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced screening, diagnostics, and treatment strategies to combat this growing threat.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released alarming data from its Enhanced Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (EGASP): gonorrhea is rapidly becoming antibiotic resistant. Key findings are summarized in a press release.
World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week 2025 is currently taking place with the theme “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future.” The publication of these findings underscores the need for immediate enhancements to screening, treatment accessibility, and sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnostics, according to WHO.
3615 gonorrhea cases throughout 13 countries were analyzed for this report. Key findings:
Ceftriaxone reached a 5% resistance rate.
Resistance to cefixime jumped by nearly 10%.
Resistant strains are being observed in more countries.
Ciprofloxacin reached a 95% resistance rate.
Azithromycin’s resistance remained the same.
The highest amount of drug-resistant gonorrhea was found in Cambodia and Vietnam.
WHO is working to aid future gonorrhea control and doxycycline-based prevention (DoxyPEP) strategies. The organization is urging countries to invest in surveillance.
