NEW ZEALAND: Bay of Plenty Dubbed Country's Chlamydia Capital

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

NEW ZEALAND: Bay of Plenty Dubbed Country's Chlamydia Capital

New Zealand Herald (05.03.04) - Thursday, May 06, 2004

Just-released figures from Environmental Services and Research showing a spike in chlamydia infections among Bay of Plenty women have sparked fears there are a sizable amount of men who are carriers. An alarming 7.1 percent jump in chlamydia infection within three months - along with New Zealand's worst gonorrhea rates - prompted Family Planning to call for an STD prevention advertising campaign. Phil Shoemack, Bay of Plenty Health Board's medical officer of health, said the high rates are closely tied drugs and alcohol use by young people, which made them careless about practicing safe sex.

Between October and December, 529 people tested positive for chlamydia in Bay of Plenty, compared with 489 in the previous three months. The area has a chlamydia case rate of 772 per 100,000, which is markedly higher than the next-worse region, Waikato, with 670. Women between the ages of 15 and 19 had the most chlamydia cases, and the average age of those infected was 22. Bay of Plenty also had 287 gonorrhea cases in the last three months of the year, representing the highest rate in New Zealand.

Dr. Gill Greer, the executive director of the Family Planning Association, said there were "obviously a big number of male carriers" spreading chlamydia. "How else would young women become infected?" The released figures come just after a Swedish study found that chlamydia may cause infertility in men as well as in women.

Greer said an infusion of government money to fund a campaign to tackle the problem is urgently needed. "We're in a crisis and we have to face it because it won't go away," she said. "If we spent a little money now it would save a lot long term."
040506
AD040937

Copyright © 2004 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2004. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2004. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.