WASHINGTON: More Test Positive for Gonorrhea

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

WASHINGTON: More Test Positive for Gonorrhea

Longview Daily News (12.12.05) - Thursday, December 15, 2005
Barbara LaBoe

Earlier this month, the Cowlitz County health department issued an outbreak alert after receiving reports of 16 gonorrhea cases as of Nov. 23. According to epidemiologist Hilary Gillette, the number, which has since climbed to 27 cases, represents a one-month record for the county.

The November figures put the county on track to double the number of cases it reported in 2004, which was already higher than usual. The county had 52 gonorrhea cases last year; there were 95 as of Nov. 30. County officials expect December's numbers also to be high, as the partners of patients diagnosed last month are contacted, tested and treated.

Additional county staff are working to help patients track down their partners. Both the health department's Planned Parenthood clinic and the Cowlitz Free Medical Clinic have reported increases in the number of people seeking testing following publicity about the outbreak.

Cases of chlamydia have also risen in the county late this year. In October, the county reported 21 cases, but that number increased to 45 for November. Last year, a total of 251 chlamydia cases were recorded. As of Nov. 30, the county has posted 288 cases.

Officials are not sure what is driving the spike in both diseases, and they are asking the state for money and assistance to study the situation.
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